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Defendant Sentenced in International Multi-Million Dollar Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Designer Drugs
PORTLAND, Ore. – Ryan Ahidjou ‘Bo’ Scott, 34, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, was sentenced by Honorable Ancer L. Haggerty to 96 months in prison following his convictions for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The convictions stemmed from his role in leading an international drug-trafficking organization responsible for distributing over $5 million of synthetic designer drugs.
The investigation began in 2011 when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents detected suspicious shipments imported from Peru destined for defendant Ryan Bo Scott’s company KTW Enterprises. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), working with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), executed a search warrant at defendant’s company in April 2011. There, they seized over 500 pounds of synthetic drug products packaged in 1 gram packets labeled as “K2” and “not for human consumption.”
Throughout the next several months, forensic experts employed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed the presence of over a dozen types of chemical compounds in the seized drug products that were both scheduled drugs and analogues of the same. Through the remainder of 2011 and into early 2012, HSI and IRS agents, working closely with financial analysts from the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), gathered evidence that Scott was running a worldwide drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy selling various synthetic designer drugs.
The investigation culminated on May 15, 2012, with the execution of search warrants at the defendants’ residences and a warehouse in Vancouver, Washington, where agents seized hundreds of pounds of dried plant materials, packaging equipment, and chemicals. “This long-term investigation took down one of the largest synthetic drug manufacturers on the West Coast,” said U. S. Attorney Amanda Marshall. “These synthetic designer drugs are dangerous and we are fortunate to have partner agencies – HSI, IRS, and the DEA – who are committed to stopping the distribution of these poisons to our kids.”
The harmful and sometimes fatal consequences of synthetic drugs have been gaining attention nationally and beyond. In March 2011, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) exercised its emergency scheduling powers placing these synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) because it was necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety.
Synthetic cathinones (also known as “bath salts”) act as central nervous system stimulants causing rapid heart rate (which may lead to heart attacks and strokes), chest pains, nosebleeds, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. People who abuse these substances have reported agitation, insomnia, irritability, dizziness, depression, paranoia, delusions, suicidal thoughts, seizures, and panic attacks. Users have also reported effects including impaired perception of reality, reduced motor control, and decreased ability to think clearly.
Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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