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ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona judge sentences Instagram drug dealer to over 9 years in prison

An Instagram drug dealer who lived in Phoenix and sold LSD to a minor for $10 has been sentenced to over nine years in prison, authorities said.

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PHOENIX — A 27-year-old Phoenix man has been sentenced to over 9 years in prison for dealing drugs over Instagram, authorities announced Monday.

Joshua Anthony Lubischer was on probation when he sold a minor LSD for $10 over Instagram, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

The Buckeye Police Department received a report of this sale on Jan. 4.

While being interviewed, the minor provided the Instagram account as well as a description of Lubischer and his vehicle. The minor also told officers Lubischer offered to sell cocaine and Xanax in addition to the LSD, prosecutors said.

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Warrant uncovers large stash Instagram drug dealer had

Investigators later identified Lubischer, and found that his Instagram account included a link to a Telegram account, which gave a menu of drugs and prices, prosecutors said.

Five days after Buckeye police received the initial report, police found various drugs at his home through a search warrant, including:

  • 24 LSD tabs
  • 10 ecstasy pills
  • 66 alprazolam pills
  • 1 oz of cannabis wax
  • 17 grams packaged marijuana
  • 65 grams of THC in vape cartridges
  • 101 grams of psylocibin mushrooms

They also found packaging seals and a digital scale.

In January, he was indicted on nine counts, including possession of a dangerous drug for sale, money laundering and conspiracy, according to court documents.

Cases like this aren’t rare. Earlier this year, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office launched a new webpage to inform residents about the way their favorite apps may be facilitating illegal activity.

Serena O'Sullivan KTAR News Reporter and Editor

Serena O’Sullivan is a Phoenix-based news reporter and content editor for KTAR.com, where she covers local and national stories with a digital-first approach. Her reporting has appeared in major outlets including USA Today, Arizona Republic, Phoenix… Read more

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