HOUSTON – Federal drug enforcement agents had been watching and investigating a Pearland couple since October 2013 because they were suspected of selling synthetic drugs.
Federal charges have now been filed, accusing the couple and two of their employees of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and money laundering.
Hassan and Asmaul Reza, Taz Mohammad and Tonya Romero have all been charged.
Investigators allege the Rezas were using their grocery store, Bilal Hilal Produce located at 3904 Shaver Street in Houston to sell the illegal drugs.
According to court documents, Romero worked for the couple and told investigators they would make as much as $20,000 a day selling things like Kush and Green Giant.
Federal investigators and Pearland Police officers also raided the couple's Pearland home in the 4600 block of Chaperal Street. They discovered nearly $64,000 in cash stashed in the master bedroom and boxes and boxes of inventory that was kept in the garage of the home.
In the less than two months, police said the couple deposited $269,800 into their bank accounts.
According to court documents, investigators asked Reza if he would like a "greedy business owner to sell "Kush" to his small children for the sole purpose of making money with no regard for his children's safety?"
Reza, they said, began to cry and promised to stop selling the drugs in the future.
The owner of the building told us the produce store was closed in June 2014. The couple didn't pay their rent and the owner of the building evicted the business.
The building is vacant now.