Massachusetts Man Sentenced On Misbranding Charges

          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith announced that Mohamed Alam,  62, of North Andover, Massachusetts,  was sentenced today to one year probation in U.S. District Court after pleading guilty to Causing Misbranded Drugs to be Introduced into Interstate Commerce.  Alam was also ordered to pay a $1000 fine and a money forfeiture of $18,737.00.

          On October 3, 2012, the North Andover, Massachusetts Police Department responded to a call for a female having seizures due to a possible drug overdose.  The female was interviewed at the Lawrence General Hospital and stated that she had been using “Crazy Monkey” which she purchased at the Richdale convenience store located at 4 Main St., North Andover, Massachusetts.  “Crazy Monkey” is a synthetic cannabinoid.

          The North Andover Police Department and DEA conducted an investigation using a confidential informant (CI) who purchased a variety of the “Monkey” products, all synthetic cannabinoids, from the convenience store between October 9, 2012 through June 20, 2013.  On June 26, 2013, a federal search warrant was executed at the Richdale convenience store.  The agents seized several packages of the “Monkey” product.

          The synthetic cannabinoids were misbranded in that: (1) the product was sold as potpourri when in fact the product was intended for use as a drug for human consumption; (2) its label, in package form, failed to include the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; (3) its labeling did not bear adequate directions for use; and (4) its labeling did not bear such adequate warnings against use in those pathological conditions and by children.

          “Our office will continue to work with local, state and federal law enforcement to combat the sale of synthetic controlled substances,” said Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith.  “The sale of these substances has been banned in New Hampshire, and we will continue to fight against the illegal distribution of these substances.”

          “The North Andover Police Department appreciates the United States Attorney’s Office and DEA working with local law enforcement to combat our current problems with synthetic drugs and opiates.  Our School Resource officers are educating students of these illicit drugs and their unknown ingredients that can cause traumatic overdose and other medical issues.  We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement and community partners to stem the flow of these substances that harm our citizens,” stated Paul J. Gallagher, Chief of Police, North Andover Police Department.

          The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the North Andover Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.