A D.C. man faces drug distribution and weapons charges after using an Airbnb to stash $100,000 of marijuana as part of a delivery operation that employed several drivers in the region, authorities said.
The scheme was uncovered, the filings state, on Aug. 15 when Alexandria police responded to a report of a robbery at gunpoint at an apartment in which the resident told police the robbers had been there to buy marijuana and stole the drugs, a handgun and cash, court filings said.
A federal task force learned of what they say is a marijuana-distribution ring that used Airbnb locations among its stash houses for its delivery couriers, according to the criminal complaint.
After undercover FBI agents ordered marijuana through the site JetpackDC last month, the complaint states, they tracked delivery drivers to two residences, one in the 200 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE and another in the unit block of N Street NW.
On Tuesday, agents raided both locations, finding more than 80 pounds of marijuana worth $100,000 at the N Street address, an Airbnb, and $15,000 in cash and a semiautomatic pistol at the Rhode Island Avenue address, the complaint said.
“Based on the investigation to date, agents believe that the marijuana business is conducting approximately $80,000 to $100,000 in sales every month,” the complaint read.
Amir Musa Gibreel of Northeast, who is accused of running the operation and appeared to live at the Rhode Island Avenue apartment, was arrested Wednesday and ordered held without bond pending a detention hearing Monday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson of the District.
He faces marijuana distribution and weapons charges. He was appointed an assistant federal defender; a spokesman for that office declined to comment.
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