FOREIGN NATIONAL SENTENCED FOR SELLING PSEUDOEPHEDRINE

(Tyler, TX) United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced today that a 43-year-old foreign national has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for illegally selling Pseudoephedrine from his convenience stores in the Eastern District of Texas. RAFEEK MOHAMED OSMAN was also ordered by United States District Judge Leonard Davis to pay a fine of $7,500.

U.S. Attorney Orwig was pleased with the sentence, “This sentence serves as a reminder to business owners that they are required to act responsibly when selling items that can be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.”

According to information presented in court, Osman, a native of Sri Lanka, entered the United States in 1998 on a work visa. Osman was the president of Focus Multi-National Inc., which is his family’s business in the United States and an extension of Silkot International Inc., based in Sri Lanka. The U.S. corporation owns and operates two Speed Trak Exxon stores in Tyler and another in Jacksonville. Osman was indicted on October 5, 2005 and charged with distribution of a list chemical knowing it was to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Osman pleaded guilty to the charge on February 1, 2006. He is subject to deportation upon the completion of his sentence.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S.Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bill Baldwin.