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Indian-origin couple caught in drug case
If convicted, the defendants will face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.
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Rwittika Chakraborty
- Mon, 19, Jan 2026
- 01:24 EST
- 12
Representative Image / Pexels
Five people, including an Indian-origin married couple who operated a Northern Virginia motel, appeared in court Jan. 16 after being arrested on federal charges of conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, in an alleged drug and prostitution operation run out of the Red Carpet Inn in Dumfries.
According to court records, Kosha Sharma, also known as Ma or Mama K, 52, and her husband Tarun Sharma, also known as Pop or Pa, 55, leased and operated the Red Carpet Inn through Kosha LLC beginning in May 2023.
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A criminal complaint alleges that the couple took a share of profits from illegal activity conducted on the motel’s third floor.
From May 28 through Dec. 17, 2025, law enforcement carried out nine prostitution encounters and 15 controlled drug purchases at the motel, according to court documents. Eleven of those purchases involved fentanyl, while four involved cocaine.
The complaint alleges that Margo Waldon Pierce, also known as Marko, 51, distributed narcotics in all 15 controlled purchases. Joshua Roderick, also known as Josh, 40, and Rashard Perrish Smith, also known as Sean or Shawn, B, B-more, or Baltimore, 33, were also arrested for their alleged roles in the operation.
The investigation is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Prince William County Police Department and the Virginia State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine Rosenberg and Megan Braun.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
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