Tulsan Sentenced To Federal Prison For Importing Illegal Drug From China

A Tulsa man was sentenced Friday to over 9 ½ years in federal prison for importing a thousand grams of methylone and possession of a firearm.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said the conviction and sentencing of Gus Travis Poole Jr., 28, followed the seizure by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security from January to March 2013 of several inbound packages of methylone from China.

In a news release, U.S. Attorney Danny Williams said an investigation identified Poole as the recipient of the packages.

Methylone, a synthetic compound drug, is a controlled substance which is known as "mollies" on the street.

Additionally, FedEx turned over a suspect package to the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office that contained over a kilo of methylone.

"Synthetic and designer drugs are a significant, widespread problem both domestically and internationally. Abuse of these substances, like all dangerous drugs and chemicals, creates problems for individuals, their families, their communities, and society in general.  The trafficking of any type of drug will not be tolerated in the Northern District," said Danny Williams.

Poole was convicted in Tulsa County in 2005 for robbery with a dangerous weapon and sentenced to 5 years in state prison. He was released in 2008.