Howell Woman Admits Role In Designer Drug Distribution Scheme

NEWARK, NJ — A Howell woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping a New York man distribute dangerous designer drugs over the internet, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Victoria Koleski, 30, of Howell, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls to one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substance analogues, and one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, Carpenito's office said.

Koleski admitted to conspiring with Brian Parker, 34, of Long Island City, NY, who also pleaded guilty Wednesday to the same charges before Walls. The two were arrested in late August.

The operation was uncovered when authorities in Wisconsin began investigating the overdose death of a man in May 2016, authorities said. The man had received the drugs from one of the websites run by Parker to sell the drugs, authorities said.

Controlled substance analogues are designer drugs that have chemical structures and hallucinogenic effects similar to Schedule I controlled substances. One of the designer drugs Parker and Koleski distributed was a synthetic opioid that is several times more potent than morphine, Carpenito said.

Parker admitted that from May 16, 2016 through Aug. 3, 2017, he conspired with others to distribute the controlled substance analogues U-47700, a synthetic opioid several times more potent than morphine, and A-PHP and 3-MEO-PCP, which have chemical structures and hallucinogenic properties similar to A-PVP (also known as "flakka") and PCP, respectively, authorities said.

Parker manufactured and distributed these drugs and other illegal chemicals through two internet-based companies he controlled, Unbeatablechems and RC Powders. Parker admitted that on May 16, 2016, he distributed U-47700 to a customer in Madison, Wisconsin, which resulted in the death of that individual on May 22, 2016.

Parker used other conspirators, such as Koleski, to send and receive packages for his narcotics distribution business. Those conspirators received raw materials from China or elsewhere through the mail, repackaged and sent them to Parker, who then manufactured those materials into the chemicals that he sold online. Afterwards, Parker transported the finished products back to his conspirators, who then shipped them to Parker's customers.

Koleski admitted that from December 2016 through August 2017, she conspired with Parker to distribute controlled substance analogues. She also admitted that from June 30, 2017 through July 5, 2017, she shipped multiple parcels from a Farmingdale post office that contained controlled substance analogues A-PHP and 3-MEO-PCP.

Each charge Parker and Koleski pleaded guilty to carry up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is set for July 2 for Parker and July 3 for Koleski, Carpenito's office said.

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