SCRANTON – In a move to combat the rising tide of synthetic substances, a Pittston man has pleaded guilty to importing ‘designer drugs’ from China.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeffrey Swanberry, age 45, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Court Judge James M. Munley to importing ‘designer drugs,’ which are controlled substance analogues, into the United States from China.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, on August 1, 2018, a criminal information was filed charging Swanberry with importation of controlled substance analogues, commonly known as ‘designer drugs,’ into the United States from China between September 2016 and February 2018. The criminal information identifies the designer drugs as ‘alpha-ethylaminohexanophenone,’ ‘n-ethylhexedrone,’ and ‘n-ethylpentylone.’
Under federal law, such ‘designer drugs’ are controlled substance analogues, which are chemically similar to controlled substances in Schedule I or II, to the extent they are intended for human consumption, are treated as controlled substances.
Judge Munley ordered a presentence investigation to be completed. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
The charge against Swanberry stems from an investigation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
The maximum penalty under federal law is up to twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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