PORTLAND, Ore. — A Salem man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for leading a large-scale illegal drug and money laundering operation.
Antonio Irving Benjamin, 53, of Salem, was sentenced to 144 months in prison and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and laundering millions in proceeds.
Federal prosecutors say Benjamin supervised an unlicensed drug facility in Salem that produced THC- and psilocybin-infused edibles packaged to resemble popular cereals and candies. Officials said while there was no evidence he deliberately targeted children, the packaging posed a clear risk to minors.
Investigators say Benjamin used encrypted apps like Telegram and straw businesses to sell products nationwide and launder profits. He forfeited over $2 million in assets, including a Salem production facility, more than $1 million in cash, cryptocurrency, precious metals, vehicles, boats, and property in Silverton.
Benjamin, who has prior convictions for cocaine and fentanyl trafficking, was deemed a career criminal under federal law. The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including Salem Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Oregon State Police.
