⏱ 2 min read
Mark Dygdon and Rodrigo Castro, two Manhattan men, have been charged with conspiracy to distribute millions of doses of gamma-butyrolactone, a deadly date rape drug, throughout the New York City area. The alleged conspiracy took place from at least August 2023 to June 2026, with the defendants importing and distributing the substance in Midtown Manhattan and surrounding areas. The investigation was led by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the DEA’s New York Enforcement Division.
The gamma-butyrolactone, also known as GBL, is a powerful depressant that can be lethal even in small doses. It is often used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults and can be converted into GHB, another dangerous substance. The seizure of multiple tons of GBL has prevented countless tragedies and disrupted a significant threat to public safety.
The charges against Dygdon and Castro are the result of a joint effort between law enforcement agencies to target those trafficking drugs and precursor chemicals into communities. The case is assigned to US District Judge Margaret M. Garnett and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The investigation highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies to preventing harm to individuals and communities. The removal of this massive quantity of GBL from the supply chain has prevented harm to countless people who might otherwise have been victimized.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: New York
- Location: NY
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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