Four Eastern Iowans charged in national K2 enforcement efforts

A mother and son, both store managers busted for synthetic drugs are slated to be the first tried in the Northern District since the national crackdown started in 2012.

Only four Eastern Iowans have been charged in federal court, so far, in connection with the synthetic marijuana or K2 raids conducted last June and wrapping up last week, all part of Project Synergy, a federal drug enforcement operation. The synthetics are usually sold as bath salts or incense but are smoked like marijuana and many of the substances are illegal.

The four defendants charged and two others who haven't been carged also face civil forfeitures of property, which prosecutors contend are proceeds from the sale of synthetic drugs in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo.

Mary Ramos, 52, was charged last year with distribution of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance analogue and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to a criminal complaint.

Mary Ramos, manager of the Five Snacks store, 1551 1st Ave. SE, in Cedar Rapids, is accused of knowingly distributing and possessing XLR11, a synthetic cannabinoid, commonly known synthetic marijuana or K2, according to a criminal complaint.The store sold items Ramos is accused of distributing.

She also faces a civil forfeiture of her vehicle, a 2010 Ford Edge Limited, and a Ruger pistol and ammunition, according to the complaint.

Her trial will start June 23, in U.S. District Court. Her attorney Mike Lahammer said last week he expects the trial will go as scheduled.

Lahammer said Mary Ramos was the manager of the store in June 2013 but wasn't the store owner. She also sold Avon and other items out of the store, along with the merchandise of the store, he said.

According to online listings, the store sold various items, such as fragrances, Avon, skin, hair and nail products, incense and tobacco.

Lahammer said the handgun listed as part of the forfeiture was found in her vehicle, along with items sold at the store, but she had a valid gun permit to carry it. Lahammer declined details of her defense but said prosecutors will have to prove she knew she was selling illegal products.

If convicted, she faces up to 20 years on each distribution and possession charge and five to life on the firearm charge.

Her son, Earl 'E.J.” Ramos, of Evansdale, was indicted in March and charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance analogue, according to a criminal complaint.

According to an affidavit, the Five Snacks store, 315 Fletcher Ave., in Waterloo, was raided after a controlled drug buy was made in 2012. A confidential informant purchased bath salts from Earl Ramos on Oct. 2 and 8, 2012. One of packages purchased June 20, 2013 was consistent with the packaging of a substance purchased from Mary Ramos the day before, according to court documents.

Authorities conducted a search of the store and Earl Ramos' truck, where they seized synthetic drugs and cash, according to the affidavit. Earl Ramos told officers the $14,156 seized came from the sale of synthetics and other items sold at the business.

Officers also conducted a search of a home where Earl Ramos resided, which is the residence of Muhammad Chaudhry, the owner of the Waterloo store, according to the affidavit. Officers seized a large quantity of synthetic marijuana, bath salts, an undetermined amount of U.S. and Canadian money, five firearms, 13 boxes of ammunition, three laptops, two computer towers, business records, Western Union receipts, drug ledger and a bottle of Ritalin.

Prosecutors also filed a civil forfeiture for the $14,136, which they contend is proceeds from the sale of controlled substances or controlled substance analogues, and/or used to facilitate the sale.

Chaudhry filed a claim in February to the $14,136 seized from his business, stating all required taxes had been documented and paid on the money, according to court documents. He stated the money didn't derive from illegal activity but from legitimate business activities and he wants the money returned to him.

Earl Ramos' trial is also set June 23, but will likely be reset, according to his attorney. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.

The most recent arrest indicates how profitable the synthetics business may be as a Cedar Rapids store grossed more than $1.3 million over 18 months in synthetic marijuana sales, according to an affidavit. The Puff N'Stuff II Tobacco Outlet, 1545 1st Ave. SE, was raided almost a year ago in the first phase of the national enforcement.

Owners Mohammad, 39, and Melissa, 33, Al Sharairei were each charged with maintaining a drug involved premises May 9, just two days after Project Synergy did its last sweep through Eastern Iowa. They are accused of operating the store to distribute synthetic drugs.

According to an affidavit, substances seized from the store in June 2013 tested positive for the presence of a controlled substance analogue or illegal substance.

Prosecutors also filed a civil forfeiture against their Cedar Rapids home and three others in Des Moines. According to the affidavit, the couple purchased 14 or 15 homes, including one in Cedar Rapids, with proceeds from synthetic drug sales.

If convicted, Mohammad and Melissa Al Sharairei each face up to 20 years in prison.

The other pending civil forfeiture is against brothers Fawad and Jawad Nawaz, which also stems from the enforcement operation in 2013. The brothers owned and operated the YR Dollar Store, 1504 1st Ave. NE, in Cedar Rapids. During the search, officers seized a suspected drug ledger and numerous packets of suspected synthetic drugs.

A search of their home turned up $84,741 in cash located under the bed, between mattresses and in one of the bedrooms, according to court records. Additional synthetic substances were also found.

Fawad Nawaz filed a claim to the seized money in February, according to court documents. He stated the proceeds are from legitimate business transactions, not illegal activities, and all required taxes have been documented and paid on the money. He asked the court to return the money to him.

At this time, the Nawaz brothers haven't been charged.

The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the pending synthetic cases.

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