Feds say drug conspiracy was based in Olathe

Federal authorities on Monday accused the owners an Olathe-based business of illegally making and selling controlled substances.

Charged were Tracy Picanso, 58, and Roy Ehrett, 55, who lived together in Olathe. The two owned and operated several businesses including Retailing Specialists, Innovative Products 4U, The Outer Edge, Lakeridge Holdings, Monster Warehouse, Monster Distribution, Monster, 3P Distribution and Life Source, according to an unsealed federal indictment.

The illegal substances included ingredients used to produce stimulants and the active ingredient in marijuana. The businesses earned around $16 million in sales in about two years, authorities alleged.

Authorities said the conspirators sold products under names like Pump It, Head Trip, Black Arts, and Grave Digger. The illegal activities stretched from Kansas to Missouri and beyond and involved more than 15 companies with more than 40 financial accounts, according to the indictment.

Two other Kansas City-area residents also were indicted. Authorities said Cindy McRoberts, 48, of Lee’s Summit, worked as an office manager in Olathe and Kansas City warehouses. Christopher Freemyer, 46, of Adrian, Mo., worked as a delivery driver, accounts manager and warehouse worker, they said. Others indicted live in Colorado, Texas and California.

Authorities said the group also sold drugs that were mislabeled. They marketed their products at trade shows that catered to smoke shops.

The indictment also alleges that some of the conspirators sold counterfeit Viagra and Cialis.

This story was originally published April 14, 2014 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Feds say drug conspiracy was based in Olathe."