Suspect in Prince William/Fauquier synthetic marijuana case arrested in Las Vegas

Narcotics Investigation – On August 18th, detectives from the Prince William-Manassas-Manassas Park Narcotics Task Force concluded a complex, multi-jurisdictional narcotics investigation involving the manufacturing and distribution of synthetic marijuana with the execution of a search warrant at 15002 Danube Way in Haymarket (20169) and the subsequent arrest of a suspect in Las Vegas, according to a news release from Prince William County Police.

As a result of the search, a handgun, marijuana, “marijuana-wax”, packaging materials and an estimated four pounds of materials used to manufacture synthetic marijuana were recovered and seized.

Information gathered during the investigation led detectives to a storage unit at the Mini-Storage facility located at 6558 Commerce Ct in New Baltimore where a second search warrant was obtained and executed. As a result of that search, an additional 33 pounds of precursor materials used in the manufacturing of synthetic marijuana were recovered.

The investigation further revealed that the target of the operation, identified as the accused, was manufacturing synthetic marijuana at his home address in Haymarket, as well as at the storage unit in Warrenton. The product manufactured was then shipped nationally via the postal service in a multi-state distribution network.

The amount of precursor materials seized during this investigation has an estimated street value of $1.1 million dollars, according to the news release.

Following the investigation, detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of the accused who was located in Las Vegas and arrested without incident.

This investigation was conducted with assistance from the Fauquier Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Postal Service and the Las Vegas SCORE HIDTA Task Force. The accused remains in the custody of Las Vegas authorities awaiting extradition.

Arrested on August 18th: [No photo available] John P. FLAHERTY, 57, of 15002 Danube Way in Haymarket. Charged with manufacturing a scheduled I or II narcotic, distribution of a scheduled I or II narcotic, conspiracy to manufacture a scheduled I or II narcotic and conspiracy to distribute a scheduled I or II narcotic.

Court date: October 2, 2015 | Bond: awaiting extradition.