POLICE Department
Kush Dealers Arrested in Additional HPD Narcotics Investigation
September 19, 2016 - Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested following Houston Police Narcotics ongoing investigations into large-scale distribution of synthetic cannabinoids (Kush) in Houston.
The suspects, Naushad Ramzan-AliPradhan (A/m, 58) and Rafeeq Panjvany (A/m, 54), are charged with delivery of synthetic cannabinoids in the 208th State District Court. Photos of the suspects are attached to this news release.
More than 4,000 packages of Kush, with an approximate weight of 131 pounds and approximate street value of more than $400,000, were recovered. Additionally, a large amount of cash was recovered.
In July, investigators in the HPD Narcotics Division initiated an undercover investigation based on an anonymous tip that Pradhan and Panjvany were major distributors of synthetic cannabinoids in the Houston area. Further investigation led to undercover officers meeting with Pradhan on several occasions and purchasing or taking samples of the various flavors of Kush that Pradhan sold. In all cases, the bags were submitted for lab analysis which positively confirmed that the leafy substance inside the bags contained a controlled substance.
Undercover investigators continued to meet with Pradhan and were eventually introduced to his business partner, suspect Panjvany. Surveillance also led to the location of a storage facility in the 11700 block of the Southwest Freeway (South U. S. Highway 59) where the suspects were storing the Kush.
Pradhan and Panjvany were taken into custody last Wednesday (Sept. 14) without incident.
This is part of HPD's on-going enforcement into Kush dealers in Houston, which began earlier this year after several homeless persons became ill after consuming synthetic cannabinoids in Hermann Park. The Kush initiative has targeted not only street-level dealers, but also stores where Kush is sold and now distributors of Kush.
 Naushaud Ramzan-Ali Pradhan |
 Rafeeq Panjvany |
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JKS/VHS 9-19-16
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
