Former Zombies owner in Iowa City charged with distributing synthetic drugs

The former owner of Zombies, a head shop in Iowa City, was charged last week in federal court with distributing synthetic drugs.

Hadi Sharairi, 45, of Iowa City, is charged with conspiring to distribute synthetic drugs, according to an indictment unsealed last week U.S. District Court.

Sharairi conspired to distribute AB-FUBINACA and THJ-2201 between February 10 and May 7, 2014, according to the indictment. AB-FUBINACA is a Schedule I controlled substance and THJ-2201 was controlled substance analogue in May 2014, which are illegal to sell for human consumption or smoking.

Testimony at Tuesday's hearing showed Sharairi was the former owner of Zombies, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. An officer testified that Sharairi was warned by the Iowa City Police Department in June 2013 not to sell synthetic cannabinoid products, such as 'K2,” 'Spice,” or 'incense.”

In May 2014, law enforcement searched Zombies and a storage unit associated with the business and found packages labeled 'Bizarro,” which contained THJ-2201, and other packages labeled 'Super Nova,” which contained AB-FUBINACA, according to court documents.

Sharairi is the cousin of Mohammad Al Sharairei, 35, who along with his wife Melissa Al Sharairei, 37, have been fugitives, pursued by law enforcement on synthetic drugs, money laundering and gambling charges since October 2014, according to prosecutors. The couple, former owners of Puff N Stuff II Tobacco Outlet in Cedar Rapids, didn't show up for plea hearings on Oct. 21, 2014. They had been released pending trial and were not in custody.

If convicted, Sharairi faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Sharairi appeared in court on June 16 and 21, and was released on bond.