Oshan Cook, LSD and Ecstasy Trafficking, California 2012

A devastating blow to the San Francisco underworld was dealt yesterday as Oshan Cook, a 35-year-old resident of the city, was sentenced to 151 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute MDMA, also known as ecstasy, and LSD. The harsh sentence comes after a federal jury found Cook guilty on one count of distribution of more than 10 grams of LSD in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A)(v), and two counts of ecstasy trafficking in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C).

According to the evidence presented at trial, Cook participated in a conspiracy to distribute 1,383 grams of ecstasy, which was delivered to an undercover DEA agent in a buy-bust operation. On the day of the buy-bust operation, Cook was arrested while wearing a backpack containing 630 grams of ecstasy and 39.3 grams of liquid LSD.

Cook was charged by a federal grand jury, along with three co-defendants, in a Superseding Indictment on August 26, 2010. He was the last of the 4 defendants to be sentenced in this case. Defendant Yuri Lambert previously pled guilty to an ecstasy trafficking offense, and defendant James Edmonds pled guilty to an LSD trafficking offense. Both Lambert and Edmonds are currently serving 63 month sentences. Defendant Victoria Vanlaanen also pled guilty to an ecstasy trafficking offense, and is currently serving an 18 month sentence.

The investigation, which was a 2-year effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration, resulted in the arrest and conviction of Cook and his co-defendants. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chinhayi Cadet and Pete Axelrod, with the assistance of Ana Guerra.

Oshan Cook, 35, of San Francisco, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute MDMA (“ecstasy”), possession with the intent to distribute ecstasy, and possession with the intent to distribute LSD. The jury returned its verdict on November 1, 2012.

Cook remains in custody to serve his sentence, which was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey S. White. Judge White also sentenced the defendant to a five year period of supervised release.

This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of drug trafficking and the consequences of engaging in such activities. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/san-francisco-man-sentenced-151-months-lsd-and-ecstasy-trafficking-offenses