A federal grand jury in Worcester, Massachusetts has indicted two women on multiple charges for their roles in the operation of a cannabis delivery service that was active in the state from 2015 to 2018.
On April 2, 51-year-old Deana Martin of Milton was arrested on a criminal complaint, and 32-year-old Tatiana Fridkes was arrested on Tuesday, May 21, both in connection with the Northern Herb delivery service.
Martin is said to have owned and managed the service which allegedly raised more than $14 million in revenue between 2016 and 2018 by distributing cannabis flower, pre-rolled joints, and edibles which were available for purchase through the Northern Herb website.
Martin allegedly claimed an income of $80,000 per month and controlled multiple bank accounts for the laundering of company funds, several of which were operated under another person’s name to hide from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Though Northern Herb purportedly offered medical cannabis, the company allegedly did not require proof of a medical marijuana card and would leave deliveries in unattended locations.
The company allegedly did not withhold or pay taxes on cannabis sales, remit or pay employment taxes on behalf of its workforce, or issue W-2 or 1099 forms to employees.
Martin was charged with one count of possession of more than 100 kg of marijuana, one count of conspiring to distribute more than 100 kg of marijuana, and three counts of money laundering.
Fridkes was charged with one count of conspiring to distribute more than 100 kg of marijuana.
Each of the marijuana charges come with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million.
Money laundering charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of twice the amount of money laundered.
