UH professor, 15 others nabbed in federal sting on 'kush' operation

United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announces that 9.5 tons of synthetic cannabinoid, or "kush," were seized and 16 people charged in a four-year-long investigation during a press conference, Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in Houston. less United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announces that 9.5 tons of synthetic cannabinoid, or "kush," were seized and 16 people charged in a four-year-long investigation during a press conference, Tuesday, May ... more Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close UH professor, 15 others nabbed in federal sting on 'kush' operation 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Sixteen people – including a University of Houston-Victoria finance professor – have been charged in a sweeping federal indictment with participating in a $35 million international ring that produced more than 9.5 tons of a drug known as synthetic marijuana or kush.

The indictment, announced Tuesday by federal officials, followed a multi-agency sting operation against one of the largest known synthetic drug trafficking organizations, U.S. Attorney Ken Magidson said.

The synthetic drug – which is sprayed with a toxic substance – can lead to overdose and death, said Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Houston. Ben Taub hospital reported seeing several emergency admissions a day and some deaths related to overdoses, according to federal officials.

"It's poison that you're spraying on the plant," said Arabit of the DEA.

Much of the product was targeted to juveniles, with cartoon packaging and special flavors, such as blueberry.

Twelve people have already been arrested, and two others have indicated they will surrender to authorities. Two of the people indicted remain fugitives federal authorities said.

Omar Maher Alnasser, 36, of Houston, was indicted for conspiracy to commit money laundering and aiding and abetting an unlicensed money transmitting business. Alnasser is listed as an assistant professor of finance at the Sugar Land campus at the University of Houston-Victoria.

Read the full indictment above.