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SCRANTON — A Wilkes-Barre man recently admitted in federal court he agreed to distribute bath salts throughout Luzerne County in 2014 and 2015.

Robert Benussi III, 26, pleaded guilty Thursday to participating in a conspiracy to distribute the hallucinogenic drug.

Benussi said the group obtained the drug from suppliers in China. He also used force, threats and intimidation in connection with the drug conspiracy, authorities report.

Benussi was one of seven people charged by a grand jury in August 2016. That indictment was the fourth wave of arrests connected to distribution of the drug in Luzerne County. In all, 18 people have been charged in the case since July 2013, including a Texas-based supplier of the bath salts.

Benussi is the 14th defendant to plead guilty in the case.

He is scheduled for sentencing on May 19. Benussi is in prison while he awaits sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security, United States Postal Inspectors, the Drug Enforcement Administration, members of the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police from Luzerne County.

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By Melanie Mizenko

[email protected]

Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko