CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A New York man has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a synthetic marijuana distribution ring in Monongalia County.
Nicholas Graziano, 54, of Melville, New York, pleaded guilty last March to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance analogue.
As part of his sentencing, Graziano was ordered to forfeit $94,777.83 in U.S. currency seized during an April 2014 raid at the X-Hale lounge in Morgantown. He also was ordered to forfeit $16,784.50 seized in May 2014 from three separate United Bank accounts, a 2010 Infiniti registered in West Virginia, and the business license issued by the state to Hookabuy, Inc.
Stephen Graziano, 25, formerly of Morgantown, was sentenced to three years last November for his part in the operation of selling synthetic marijuana. He pleaded guilty last March to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance analogue.
Authorities said the two men were distributing “fake weed” from the X Hale Hookah Lounge from July 2012 through April 2014. Civil actions against the two men were filed following the April 2014 raid at X Hale.