BUFFALO, N.Y. – A Niagara County man is headed to federal prison after admitting to running a scheme to import dangerous synthetic drugs from China. Rodney Howard, 45, of Akron, NY, was sentenced to 36 months in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge William M. Skretny for conspiracy to import alpha-PVP, commonly known as “bath salts.” The sentence marks the end of a case that exposed a direct pipeline of illicit narcotics into the community.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who prosecuted the case, the operation involved ordering a substantial quantity of the synthetic stimulant over the Internet directly from sources in China. The package, containing 14 ounces of alpha-PVP, was deliberately addressed to a third party, but delivered to the defendant’s residence in Akron – a clear attempt to mask Howard’s involvement. The scheme unraveled quickly when Howard himself went to the United States Post Office on April 15, 2014, to claim the illicit package.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were waiting. Upon picking up the package, Howard was immediately arrested. Alpha-PVP, marketed deceptively as “bath salts,” is a potent and dangerous synthetic cathinone – a stimulant similar to methamphetamine and cocaine. Its use has been linked to a surge in emergency room visits and erratic, violent behavior, earning it a reputation as a particularly nasty street drug.
The investigation, which led to Howard’s conviction and subsequent sentencing, was a collaborative effort. Special Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of James C. Spero, teamed up with Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, led by Inspector in Charge Shelly A. Binkowski. Their combined resources and expertise were crucial in dismantling this particular drug trafficking operation.
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. made the announcement today, signaling the Department of Justice’s continued commitment to combating the influx of dangerous synthetic drugs into New York State and beyond. This case serves as a stark warning: those who attempt to profit from the distribution of these substances will face serious federal consequences. The 36-month sentence handed down to Rodney Howard underscores the severity with which these crimes are viewed.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. Contact Karen Brown at (716) 843-5836 or via fax at (716) 551-3051 for further information regarding this sentencing. This case highlights the ongoing struggle to stem the tide of synthetic drugs flooding communities across the nation, and the dedication of law enforcement to hold those responsible accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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