Tarik Mazhar, Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Missouri 2022

Tarik Mazhar, a Missouri inmate, has pleaded guilty to a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy. Mazhar, who was serving a previous sentence for Attempted Armed Bank Robbery and Armed Bank Robbery at the Bureau of Prisons-Great Plains Correctional Institution in Hinton, Oklahoma, utilized a smuggled cell phone to facilitate a bulk purchase of methamphetamine from an undercover agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Between June 24, 2020, and July 29, 2020, Mazhar, a co-defendant, and the undercover agent conducted frequent conversations by phone to negotiate the methamphetamine deal. Mazhar and the undercover agent eventually agreed that the co-defendant and Mazhar would pay the undercover agent $120,000.00 in U.S. currency, and—in exchange—the undercover agent would provide the co-defendant with 40 pounds (approximately 18 kilograms) of methamphetamine.

The plea agreement states that Mazhar knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together with a co-defendant, and others known and unknown, to intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and knowingly acted in some way for the purpose of aiding the commission of the offense.

Mazhar pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Matthew T. Schelp accepted the plea and set sentencing for March 18, 2022.

The maximum possible penalty provided by law for the crimes to which the defendant is pleading guilty is imprisonment of not more than life, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, or both such imprisonment and fine. The Court shall also impose a period of supervised release of not less than 10 years.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.

Tarik Mazhar's guilty plea marks a significant development in the case, which highlights the ongoing threat of methamphetamine trafficking in Missouri. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat the illicit drug trade.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/prison-inmate-pleads-guilty-large-scale-methamphetamine-conspiracy