Two central Florida men were indicted Thursday on charges of conspiracy to import flakka from China, authorities said.
Michael J. Hernandez, 25, and Jonell Philip Vega-Mercado, 19, were charged with conspiracy to import and possession with the intent to distribute Flakka, a Schedule 1 controlled substance, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.
It was unknown if they have attorneys.
According to ICE, Customs and Border Protection officers in Chicago detained multiple packages destined for Broward County that were from China and contained several kilograms of the dangerous synthetic drug.
When Hernandez and Vega-Mercado tried to pick up packages in Fort Lauderdale, they were taken into custody.
About 24 pounds of flakka with a street value of $500,000 was seized in the operation, which was conducted by ICE, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, the Broward Sheriff's Office and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, authorities said
“These dangerous synthetic drugs compromise the public safety of our communities,” said HSI Miami Special Agent in Charge Alysa D. Erichs. “As today’s charges demonstrate, HSI will continue to aggressively target this emerging threat to the South Florida region.”
"The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will continue to work with various federal agencies and local partners to break the pipeline of Flakka entering our community," Ft. Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley said in a statement.
If convicted, Hernandez and Vega-Mercado face up to 20 years in prison for each offense.
