A father and son from Lawrence were sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for distributing several pounds of pseudoephedrine, a chemical often used in making methamphetamine, authorities said Thursday.
Kamruddin Raja, 51, and his son, Kareem, 20, were sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Topeka to 57 months -- four years and nine months -- in prison on one count of conspiracy to distribute pseudoephedrine. The two sold the ingredient with the knowledge that it would likely be used to manufacture the illegal drug methamphetamine, U.S. Atty. Jackie Williams said Thursday. Pseudoephedrine also is an active ingredient in many cold medications.
Both Rajas entered guilty pleas in the case on Feb. 28. At their arraignment, they admitted to selling pseudoephedrine on at least four separate occasions to an undercover Drug Enforcement Agency agent, in amounts ranging from six ounces to about eight pounds, Williams said.
Mike Jackson, attorney for the elder Raja, declined comment. Kareem Raja's attorney didn't return phone calls.
The two men used to operate Raja Food Mart, 1000 W. 23rd St., where authorities said they ran their distribution scheme. After serving a search warrant at the store in July, authorities found bulk amounts of pseudoephedrine -- 30 boxes, each containing 144 bottles.
The Rajas' prison terms, which are to be served without parole, will be followed by two years of supervised release, Williams said.
-- Staff writer Kevin Bates can be reached at 832-7187.
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