OMAHA – The second of four men arrested in connection with a drug bust at a Northwest Omaha convenience store last year entered a plea in Douglas County Court on Wednesday.
Gabriel Nuno pleaded guilty to two counts of delivering and distributing controlled substances and hazardous drugs. He is facing up to 70 years in prison. The date for his sentencing has yet to be determined.
Nuno was arrested as part of an investigation by the Omaha Police Department’s Narcotics Squad into the Goodies Vape & Tobacco at 90th and Lake Streets.
A search of the store in May 2024 revealed a “large amount” of illegal THC products, psychedelic drugs, and firearms. Douglas County deputies also raided a home a few blocks away, seizing 54 pounds of marijuana and approximately $140,000 in drug proceeds.
According to Nuno’s arrest affidavit, authorities discovered mushrooms containing psilocin and THC extracts in commercially made packages that were sold at Goodies. Nuno sold items to an undercover investigator twice and also sold pills containing fentanyl and the aforementioned mushrooms from the store.
According to court records, Assef Shami, a Goodies employee, left the home of store owner Yaser Shohatee with glass smoking paraphernalia, marijuana, THC cartridges, and 89 mushroom bars. Police had previously sent the mushroom bars to a lab, which tested them and discovered they contained psilocin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
Last month, Shami pleaded “no contest” to a reduced charge of possessing a controlled substance. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8.
Shohatee, the store’s owner, faces two counts of delivering controlled substances. He allegedly admitted buying and ordering THC extracts and mushrooms for the store. Helal Alshohatee, a third employee, faces two counts of delivering controlled substances.
In connection with this case, authorities arrested a juvenile and booked him into the Douglas County Youth Center for possessing marijuana with the intent to deliver.