CRU Owners Charged With Drug Conspiracy

The owners of CRU Wine and Spirits have been accused of involvement in a drug ring that spanned at least three states and involved 13 people, according to documents filed against the pair last month in U.S. District Court.

Bridget and Brant Welty, siblings and co-owners of the Washington Street liquor store, were arrested on May 27. Both have been charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances including oxycodone, marijuana and human growth hormone.

The Weltys and 11 others were involved in a drug ring that conspired to distribute drugs in various states along the eastern seaboard, an indictment alleges. The activity took place in Massachusetts, Florida and South Carolina among other locations and began in January of 2010, if not earlier, the documents state.

Brant Welty pled not guilty to the charges at his arraignment Monday. His sister also pled not guilty at a hearing on June 2 and was released on a $10,000 bail.

If convicted, the Weltys would be forced to turn over CRU Wine and Spirits and all assetts associated with it, including cash on hand, inventory and its package store license.

The Weltys opened CRU Wine and Spirits in November of 2008, selling a variety of wines, beer and liquors. The shop has been closed since May 27, when FBI officers . 

At the time, Special Agent Greg Comcowich of the FBI’s Boston Division confirmed the activity, but declined to comment on details of the investigation.