Broomfield resident Ameen Alai received a 48-month federal prison sentence for distributing the psychedelic drug ibogaine, which caused a user’s death in 2021.
Denver, CO. — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that Ameen Alai, also known as Adam Powars, 52, of Broomfield, has been sentenced to 48 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing a controlled substance that led to a fatal overdose.
Alai admitted to distributing a mixture containing ibogaine, a psychedelic compound derived from the Tabernanthe iboga plant. Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, meaning it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Between April 2019 and March 2021, Alai promoted ibogaine as a means to “reset” the body’s receptors to overcome addiction. In March 2021, he supplied the drug to a person in Broomfield and supervised its use. After leaving the individual unattended, Alai returned to find the person unresponsive — the court later determined the ibogaine he provided caused the victim’s death…