Group Accused Of Trafficking Marijuana Vape Cartridges In Ohio

CLEVELAND — Four people have been accused of illegally bringing hundreds of pounds of marijuana and marijuana vape cartridges into Ohio. The group stored its narcotics in a facility in Cleveland, court documents said.

The four people named in the indictment are Robert Berman, 33, of North Hollywood, California; Todd Brown, Jr., 31, of Canton; Dakota Walters, 27, of Lexington, Ohio, and Salim Womack, 25, of Toledo. All four people are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

“Groups like this, who are allegedly trafficking vape cartridges containing the active ingredient in marijuana, clearly pose a threat to the health and safety of our community,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This case also involves lots of cash and a firearm – which we see all too often with drug traffickers.”

On September 3, Homeland Security agents saw Berman load boxes from a truck into a unit at Life Storage facility on W. 130th Street in Cleveland, according to the indictment. Two men, later determined to be Walters and Womack, then loaded several boxes into the bed of a pickup truck.

Agents then searched the pickup truck and found 18 boxes containing suspected marijuana vape cartridges, the indictment said. Womack also had a Ruger 9 mm pistol, with an obliterated serial number, court documents said.

Berman was then seen meeting with a man driving a minivan, later determined to be Brown, the indictment said. The two men made an exchange and then both drove off, court documents said.

Agents stopped Brown's minivan and found approximately nine boxes of suspected marijuana plants, the indictment said. Investigators also searched Berman's vehicle and found two bags of cash, totaling $211,000, court documents said.

When agents searched the storage garage on W. 130th, they found 19 boxes of suspected marijuana, the Department of Justice said.

"We stand ready to provide evidence that this alleged drug trafficking organization conspired to move hundreds of thousands in cash and drugs throughout northern Ohio," said Vance Callender, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit, which covers Michigan and Ohio. "Many are under the false perception that trafficking in narcotics and taking advantage others is a path to a quick profit, without repercussion. These charges demonstrate the serious consequences that await those who engage in these illegal acts.”

Ohio is one of several states currently seeing a rash of unexplained illnesses connected to vaping. Officials believe black market cartridges, like the ones sold by this group, may be causing severe pulmonary illness.