Woman charged with shipping marijuana

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these dealers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

But the Allegheny County police narcotics unit did when it caught wind of some first-class marijuana being shipped to Pittsburgh via the U.S. Postal Service, leading to the Monday arrest of a San Francisco woman.

Sarah Jean DeHaro, 21, who police said moved from West View to California about a year ago, faces a preliminary hearing Aug. 5 for numerous drug charges after a four-month police investigation led to her arrest in Pittsburgh. Court documents did not list an attorney for Ms. DeHaro.

According to a criminal complaint, Ms. DeHaro and her boyfriend, Yevgeniy “Geno” Grinberg, also formerly of Pittsburgh, ran a marijuana business in San Francisco and shipped large quantities to customers in Western Pennsylvania who would sell it in the Pittsburgh area.

County detectives arrested a man in March who told police that he was responsible for picking up the marijuana when it arrived in Pittsburgh. He said that Ms. DeHaro sold the pot to dealers in the region for $2,200 per pound. They then resold it here for $2,800 to $3,100 per pound.

The man police arrested later became a confidential informant and with his help, police went undercover posing as associates of the informant who wanted in on the business.

An undercover investigator called Ms. DeHaro on April 15, and Mr. Grinberg answered the phone and identified himself as “Geno.” During that phone conversation — which the detective said he recorded — Mr. Grinberg said he and Ms. DeHaro live, work and operate a marijuana business together.

The investigator said he was

interested in selling marijuana by the pound. Mr. Grinberg said he could supply however much was needed and told the investigator that “he has sent as much as 14 to 15 packs in one box in the past,” according to the criminal complaint.

Continuing to pose as a potential client, the investigator told Mr. Grinberg he wanted to meet in person before mailing money. Mr. Grinberg said Ms. DeHaro was planning on returning to Pittsburgh in July for her birthday.

Detectives met her Monday in the parking lot of Bakery Square as a deal was in progress.

Police said they drove past Ms. DeHaro and another man, identified as Navid Pourarian, around 1:45 p.m. after they got out of a car. Police located marijuana and hash oil in the car and arrested the two, the criminal complaint said.

Ms. DeHaro is in the Allegheny County Jail on charges that include criminal use of a communication facility, conspiracy with intent to manufacture or deliver drugs, possession with intent to deliver drugs, and other offenses.

Charges have not been filed against Mr. Grinberg in Allegheny County. Andrew Goldstein: agoldstein@post-gazette.com