Daryl Vandermark, 45, of Amherst, NY, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 12 months for conspiring to import a dangerous synthetic stimulant from China. The conviction centers on a 2015 scheme to funnel 178 grams of Alpha-PVP—commonly known as ‘flakka’—into the United States through deceptive online orders and express mail shipments.
U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo handed down the sentence after Vandermark was found guilty of conspiracy to import a controlled substance. The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Burgasser, revealed that Vandermark teamed up with co-defendant Judi Strong to order the drug from overseas suppliers. The pair had the illicit packages shipped via FedEx Express Mail directly to Strong’s residence in Amherst.
Federal authorities were watching. Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations—under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James C. Spero—intercepted the parcels before delivery. In a tightly orchestrated move, law enforcement executed a controlled delivery, allowing Strong to accept the packages on her doorstep before moving in to arrest her.
Forensic analysis confirmed the two packages contained approximately 178 grams of pure Alpha-PVP, a Schedule I substance known for its hallucinogenic and highly addictive properties. The drug, often sold cheaply on the street, has been linked to violent behavior, psychosis, and fatal overdoses across the country.
Judi Strong faced the same charges and was also convicted, receiving an identical 12-month prison sentence. Prosecutors emphasized the coordinated nature of the operation, highlighting digital trails and communication records that tied both defendants directly to the smuggling effort.
Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., who oversaw the case out of the Buffalo, N.Y. office, reaffirmed federal commitment to disrupting international drug pipelines—even those operating through seemingly innocuous delivery services. ‘This sentence sends a message,’ Kennedy stated. ‘We’re watching the mail, the web, and every shadow route drug traffickers think they can exploit.’
Related Federal Cases
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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