An 11-month investigation has led to the arrests of 10 people suspected of operating a synthetic marijuana ring in nine states, officials said.
The 10 suspects were arrested last month in Pinellas County as part of what officials are calling "Operation Spice King."
Detectives said the suspects were manufacturing and packaging synthetic cannabinoids in four locations around Pinellas County and distributing it to at least four local convenience stores.
The suspects are also accused of shipping the synthetic drugs to eight states: Nevada, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and New Hampshire.
Detectives said the investigation started June 2013 after they received a tip that Shamir Sultanali Nathan, 32, was distributing synthetic marijuana in the Bay area and around the United States.
An undercover operative purchased some of the drug in September. The drugs tested positive for a substance that is banned under Florida law. Officials said subsequent seized packages of the drug tested positive for two other illegal substances.
Detectives said they were led to Pyarali Shamsuddin Heerani, 48, who they said Nathani was working for.
Eventually detectives found the eight remaining suspects, all of whom they said were working under Heerani and Nathani. Those suspects were involved in the manufacture and distribution of the synthetic drugs in two public storage facilities and two private residences, detectives said.
Investigators said that the suspects shipped approximately 1,000 parcels of the synthetic drugs between 2011 and 2014.
The following suspects were arrested in Pinellas County:
- Pyarali Shamsuddin Heerani, 48, of Tampa
Charged with conspiracy to distribute synthetic cannabinoids - Shamir Sultanali Nathani, 32, of Holiday
Charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute synthetic cannabinoids and violation of RICO - Dadhichi Naik, 37, of Largo
Charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering - Hasnain Brohi, 26, of Houston
Charged with conspiracy to distribute synthetic cannabinoids - Farkunda Akhtar, 21, of Houston
Charged with of possession of synthetic cannabinoids with intent to sell - Hurara Hassan, 33, of Houston
Charged with possession of controlled substance with intent to sell/manufacture/distribute - Akber Ghazanfer, 33, of Houston
Charged with possession of marijuana and possession of controlled substance with intent to sell - Sheraz Khowaja, 26, of Houston
Charged with possession of controlled substance with intent to sell - Trudy Nathani, 46, of Holiday
Charged with own/operating a residence for manufacturing narcotics - Joanel Volcin, 35, of St. Petersburg
Charged with possession of controlled substance
Detectives said Heerani bonded out after he was arrested in Pinellas County, but then new RICO charges were filed against him after that. As a result, he is currently considered a fugitive.
The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.