BATON ROUGE, LA – 2018
A Baton Rouge man has been indicted on charges of international money laundering, operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, and related crimes. Donovan J. Barker, 59, was charged with aiding and abetting a conspiracy to distribute tramadol and carisoprodol, international money laundering, unlawful money transmitting, and possession of tramadol.
According to the indictment, Barker owned and operated several businesses, including Quantum Information Technologies, Caring Partners 1, LLC, Don Western Sky, LLC, Life Positive Services, LLC, and Healthy Life 1, LLC. However, the indictment alleges that Barker represented his businesses as selling and distributing green tea extracts and herbal supplements, when in fact he was working with others to import Schedule IV controlled substances into the United States.
The indictment charges that Barker received more than $4.6 million in payments from individuals across the United States who purchased controlled substances and other substances online. Barker then wired the majority of the funds to foreign bank accounts in the Philippines, India, China, and Canada, operating a money transmitting business without a state license or federal registration.
U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin stated, “This indictment demonstrates the lengths to which international drug traffickers will go to deliver drugs and the efforts my office will make to stop them. We are committed to eliminating the international financial network used by drug dealers to bring drugs to our country and launder their illegal proceeds.”
The indictment also alleges that on May 24, 2016, Barker knowingly and intentionally possessed tramadol, a controlled substance, in violation of federal law. Barker made his initial appearance in court on October 25, 2018, and pled not guilty to the pending charges.
Special Agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, working with federal, state, and local partners, were instrumental in the investigation that led to Barker’s indictment. The investigation highlighted the growing threat of international money laundering schemes used by drug dealers to bring drugs to the United States and launder their illegal proceeds.
The DEA is committed to arresting and bringing to justice those who divert and traffic prescription drugs, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Arnett. “Opiate trafficking is a serious public health threat, and we will continue to work with our partners to disrupt and dismantle these organizations.”
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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