A federal grand jury has indicted Virginia’s top Democratic senator and several family members for operating an illegal marijuana trafficking operation involving wire fraud and money laundering. Louise Lucas, president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, and six defendants—including her daughters and a grandson—face an eight-count indictment, including a firearms charge.
The indictment alleges that Lucas approved and directed activities of a “criminal enterprise” spanning over 100 kilograms of marijuana distribution and illicit financial transactions. Investigators found evidence Lucas exploited her political position to shield the operation from scrutiny and influence legislation benefiting it.
Lucas allegedly arranged for the acquisition and distribution of illegal cannabis while using her authority to secure recreational marijuana licenses and shell companies. In April 2020, her business partner Carlton Upton Jr. made false claims on a federal loan application for $11,800. Lucas also listed herself as President and CEO of an umbrella organization in 2022 despite the enterprise’s illegal operations.
FBI raids uncovered firearms at her Portsmouth stores, while forensic analysis confirmed products sold by The Cannabis Outlet contained delta-9 THC exceeding legal limits—classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law. Lucas previously boasted on social media about being “a grandma” marijuana peddler and described her businesses as “on High Street in Portsmouth.”
A federal official stated: “Ms. Lucas has many things to answer for on the allegation,” referring to trafficking illegal substances, creating generational wealth through criminal activity, and using public office to defend her enterprise. Lucas recently claimed she faced a “racial attack” by authorities, asserting: “I grew up under Jim Crow… I am not new to this. I will not be intimidated.”