RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces the arrest of Akram Abdel-Aziz, 50, on drug related charges.
Abdel-Aziz is charged in a criminal complaint with the possession with intent to distribute a quantity of 5F-ADB, a synthetic cannabinoid listed as a Schedule I controlled substance. Known locally by the label “Black Magic” and other similar names, the substance was sold as a liquid vaporizer product at vape shops in Onslow, Craven, Wilson, Cumberland, New Hanover, and Pamlico counties. The product came to the attention of authorities following more than 40 persons requiring medical attention after ingesting the product, for symptoms such as seizures, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, paranoia, and cardiac arrest.
Abdel-Aziz is currently in custody.
The allegations above are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command, U.S. Marine Corps Criminal Investigative Division, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, Jacksonville Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Craven County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson Police Department and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
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