BRIDGEPORT, CT – MICHAEL YOUNG, 48, of Bridgeport, is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after admitting today to running a synthetic drug operation out of his home. Young pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, a charge stemming from a 2018 investigation that uncovered a significant stash of illegal narcotics.
The bust began in August 2018 when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service flagged a suspicious package headed to Young’s residence. The package originated from a California business claiming to sell herbal smoking products – a common front for illicit drug trafficking. A search revealed a plant-like substance used to absorb liquid synthetic drugs, raising immediate red flags for investigators. This wasn’t Young’s first rodeo; court records show a prior state conviction in 2014 for similar drug distribution offenses.
Federal agents weren’t stopping at the package. Investigators discovered that U.S. Customs and Border Protection had already intercepted two international shipments containing synthetic drugs destined for Young’s Bridgeport address – one in November 2016 and another in July 2018. The pattern clearly indicated a sustained, ongoing operation aimed at flooding the streets with dangerous and illegal substances.
On August 21, 2018, authorities executed a search warrant at Young’s home. The results were damning. Inside, they found over a kilogram of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones – often marketed as “synthetic marijuana” or “bath salts” – along with approximately 21 grams of liquid Phencyclidine (PCP), a notoriously potent and unpredictable hallucinogen. Also seized were drug packaging materials and a cool $1,700 in cash, presumably profits from the illicit enterprise.
Young has been held without bail since his arrest on August 21st. Judge Dooley has scheduled sentencing for August 23, 2019. He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars. This case underscores the continued threat posed by synthetic drugs and the dedication of federal agencies to dismantling these dangerous operations.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with crucial support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Connecticut State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen is prosecuting the case, aiming to deliver justice for the harm caused by Young’s criminal activities.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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