Columbia Father, Son Charged with Marijuana Trafficking, Illegal Firearm

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., father and son were charged in federal court today with possessing marijuana to distribute.

Osama Nadir Yanis, 48, and his son, Nader Robert Osama Yanis, 23, both of Columbia, were charged in two separate but related criminal complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo.

Today’s criminal complaints charge both Osama and Nader Yanis with possessing 50 kilograms or more of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Osama Yanis is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Osama Yanis’s residence on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, after witnessing the delivery of a crate that contained 72 pounds of high-grade marijuana. Nader Yanis, who arrived at the residence shortly after the delivery, was arrested during a vehicle stop when he left the residence. Osama Yanis was detained during the execution of the search warrant.

According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s criminal complaints, law enforcement officers had been notified a few days earlier about two suspicious shipments addressed to another person at Osama Yanis’s address. One crate contained approximately 50 pounds of marijuana and the second crate contained approximately 72 pounds of high-grade marijuana.

On Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, the second crate was delivered to Osama Yanis’s residence in Columbia. Osama Yanis was observed accepting the delivery and conversing with the delivery personnel. A short time later, Nader Yanis arrived at the residence. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes later, Nader Yanis left the residence carrying a bag and left the area in his black Cadillac Escalade. Columbia police officers executed a vehicle stop away from the residence. After making contact with Nader Yanis, police officers found that he was in possession of marijuana and a small amount of a white substance believed to cocaine.

Officers searched the residence and found weapons, drugs and a large sum of cash. In addition to the 72 pounds of marijuana delivered in the crate, the affidavit says, approximately 33 additional pounds of marijuana was found in a bedroom closet and hidden in an HVAC closet. Osama Yanis told investigators that the weapons found in his residence belonged to him, including a revolver pistol located on his desk next to a large gun safe. Osama Yanis explained that his gun safe contained his .223-caliber rifle, shotgun and semi-automatic pistol.

Following his arrest, Osama Yanis turned over to law enforcement approximately $19,000 that he had in his possession.

Garrison cautioned that the charges contained in these complaints are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the FBI, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.