Six individuals, including three UW-Madison students, were indicted Friday for an alleged scheme to transfer 100,000 doses of Ecstasy from Florida through Pennsylvania and finally to Madison for distribution between January 2000 and December 2001, the U.S. Attorney's Office told The Capital Times. All six face charges of distribution or conspiracy to distribute the drug.
UW-Madison seniors Ashkan Farhadieh, 21, and Matthew Louie, 22, along with junior Ghassan Majdalani, 22, were arrested Friday by federal authorities. Hearings are expected to begin today for their release on bond.
Two others, including Farhadieh's brother Paymon and Steven Larson, attended Penn State University, while the sixth individual, Augusto Rodriguez, lived in Miami.
A fourth Madison man, Steven Santana, 30, was indicted on separate charges of distribution of Ecstasy and two counts of possession of the drug. At the time of his arrest, more than 11,000 doses were discovered in his possession. If convicted, Santana could face up to 60 years of jail time.
\Sale or position with an intent to sell is a felony,"" Madison Police Department Lt. Cameron McLay said. ""It's a very significant crime.""
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly know as Ecstasy, is psychoactive drug with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Recent studies have shown that habitual use of the drug causes brain damage in people, though the extent and duration of the damage has yet to be quantified.
University officials have not taken any action in regard to the students involved in the case and will not do so until they review all appropriate information regarding the case, according to acting Dean of Students Roger Howard. He added that if the allegations were found to be true, the individuals would most likely be in violation of student conduct and disciplinary rules.
""There is a general prohibition in the code of violating state statutes involving sales of prohibited substances on university property and to students,"" Howard said. ""And, more importantly, there is a prohibition on conduct, which would threaten the safety of students, faculty and staff. The sorts of cases that are most likely to result in suspension/expulsion is the sales of drugs, sexual assault, other physical assault ... and repeated academic misconduct.""
Even if the university determines after reviewing the federal documents released Friday that there is enough evidence to go ahead with an investigation, it may defer its own process so as not to intrude on any criminal proceedings, Howard said.
""It's very common for the attorney representing the student to ask the university to delay its proceedings so that the student can concentrate on the criminal procedure,"" he said.
Sources said federal authorities had been eager to bust the ring for months.
