Two of three men facing federal drug charges were expected to appear in court Tuesday after authorities say they sold synthetic marijuana to undercover officers.
Jamil Abdelrahman Jad Allah and Adil Khan Mohammed, both 44, were scheduled to appear before Judge Daniel Martin at 11 a.m. at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, officials said.
The two, along with 48-year-old Fouad Masoud, who made an initial court appearance Monday, were charged with conspiracy to knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, a controlled substance, authorities said.
All three worked at King Mini Mart in the 1300 block of South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. They were taken into custody Sunday after officials said undercover law enforcement officers purchased the synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as "K2" or "spice," inside the store. The cannabinoids were packaged in containers and labeled with names including "Matrix,” “Blue Giant,” and “Crazy Monkey,” officials said.
Preliminary testing indicated that the drug included brodifacoum, a toxic substance frequently used in rat poison, prosecutors allege.
Illinois health officials said Tuesday that two people have died and dozens more were hospitalized after suffering from severe bleeding following the use of synthetic cannabinoids.
Chicago’s Hazelden Ford addiction treatment center said it’s seeing up to 30 patients a week who smoke synthetic pot, while health officials warned the public against using drugs of this nature.
