A 41-year-old Newport Beach man will serve at least six years in federal prison for his role in making and distributing about $12 million in synthetic drugs, officials said Tuesday.
Sean Libbert pleaded guilty Monday to the conspiracy to push synthetic drugs, commonly called “spice” or “bath salts,” according to Thom Mrozek of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors say the drugs in this case nearly led to the death of one victim.
In addition to the drug charges, Libbert pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and money laundering.
As part of the plea deal, Libbert agreed to go to prison for at least six years, but he may be sentenced to up to 20 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 20.
“Over the course of only 16 months, this organization smuggled well over 600 pounds of chemicals into the U.S., knowing that the drugs would be used to manufacture synthetic marijuana or `spice’ that was smoked or taken orally,” said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker.
Five other defendants have pleaded guilty in the case and face sentencing next year, Mrozek said.
During a roughly seven-month span in 2011, Libbert — by his own admission — distributed at least four kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids, which could be used to make at least 100 kilograms of synthetic marijuana, Mrozek said.
“Ingesting any synthetic cannabinoid or cathinone is like playing a game of Russian roulette — it can kill you in an instant,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steve Comer.
Libbert will not contest the seizure of his drug profits, officials said. Authorities have taken more than $1.1 million in assets, including about $700,000 for the sale of the defendant’s former home in San Juan Capistrano, prosecutors said.
—City News Service