BAKERSFIELD, CA -- A Bakersfield man appeared in court Monday, arraigned on a three-count indictment charged with conspiring to distribute designer synthetic drugs.
Mikhael Kamar, 51, appeared after a two-year investigation that led to the seizure of more than one-thousand pounds of designer drugs from a warehouse and smoke shop called "Havana House", which he owns and operates.
Also, more than $2.7 million in cash was seized from his home and the shop. Investigators say the designer drugs are often marketed as herbal incense, bath salts, jewelry cleaner or plant food and have caused abuse, addiction, overdoses and ER visits.
Kamar is considered a flight risk and danger to the community. He has a detention hearing scheduled for Friday.
If convicted, Kamar faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Mikhael Kamar, 51, appeared after a two-year investigation that led to the seizure of more than one-thousand pounds of designer drugs from a warehouse and smoke shop called "Havana House", which he owns and operates.
Also, more than $2.7 million in cash was seized from his home and the shop. Investigators say the designer drugs are often marketed as herbal incense, bath salts, jewelry cleaner or plant food and have caused abuse, addiction, overdoses and ER visits.
Kamar is considered a flight risk and danger to the community. He has a detention hearing scheduled for Friday.
If convicted, Kamar faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.