A former Texas Tech professor admitted he used his expertise in supply chain management to build a fentanyl trafficking operation that federal prosecutors say branded its products “Ghost” and “Pink Flamingo,” fueled multiple overdoses and supplied drugs to women in exchange for sex.
Daniel Taylor, 51, of Lubbock pleaded guilty July 1 to conspiring to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl after admitting his background as a marketing and supply chain professor helped “further or advance” the drug operation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas and court documents.
At the time, Taylor worked as an assistant professor of marketing and supply chain management at Texas Tech University’s Rawls College of Business. Prosecutors allege he created a branded fentanyl operation, marketing white fentanyl powder as “Ghost” and a pink mixture of fentanyl and bromazolam as “Pink Flamingo.” Investigators said he packaged the drugs with flamingo stickers, pink envelopes and even maintained a handwritten recipe describing how to make the mixture.
Federal authorities allege Taylor began mixing bromazolam into his fentanyl after customers told him the “Ghost” product was causing overdoses. Court records say he sold the new mixture, “Pink Flamingo,” for roughly eight months, and investigators linked his operation to at least eight overdoses, including one at Taylor’s home where he allegedly administered Narcan to revive a woman.
Pink case containing doses of Narcan obtained by federal investigators (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas)
Authorities also allege Taylor supplied fentanyl to multiple women in exchange for sex. According to court records, cooperating witnesses told investigators Taylor kept lingerie, perfume, razors and toothbrushes at his home for the women, photographed some of them after they changed into the clothing and referred to them collectively as his “flamingo fam.” One witness told investigators Taylor hoped to eventually buy a house where they could all live together.
When investigators searched Taylor’s home, they said they found heat sealers, pink envelopes, flamingo stickers, Narcan, a handwritten “Pink Flamingo” recipe and various controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA and crack cocaine.
“Taylor utilized his education and background in supply chain management to build and operate his own supply chain of dangerous narcotics in the Lubbock area,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said in a statement. “With his pink flamingo and ghost branding of fentanyl, he also drugged prostitutes to fuel his own sexual desires.”
Taylor remains in federal custody awaiting sentencing. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a $5 million fine.
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This article originally published at DOJ: Texas Tech professor turned fentanyl dealer built ‘Pink Flamingo’ drug empire.