Giles County Man Arrested for Importing Powerful Psychedelic

Charles Aardema III Brought Over 66 Pounds of DMT Powder from Brazil, Later Sold LSD and DMT on Virginia Tech's Campus

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of several small plastic bags filled with a reddish powder against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the seized DMT powder that was trafficked into Virginia.A federal investigation into a Virginia man's alleged importation and distribution of powerful psychedelics like DMT and LSD exposes the growing threat of synthetic drugs on college campuses.Roanoke Today

A 28-year-old man from Ripplemead, Virginia named Charles Herman Aardema III was arrested on charges of attempting to possess with intent to distribute dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and distributing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), two powerful psychedelic drugs. Aardema allegedly imported over 66 pounds of DMT powder from Brazil between November 2020 and April 2021, and later sold LSD and DMT on the campus of Virginia Tech.

Why it matters

The case highlights the growing issue of synthetic psychedelics being trafficked into the United States, as well as the risks posed by the distribution of these potent drugs on college campuses. DMT and LSD can have intense and unpredictable effects, raising concerns about public safety and student health.

The details

According to the federal criminal complaint, in September 2021 U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers examined a parcel addressed to Aardema's home in Ripplemead and found over 11 kilograms of DMT powder. Further investigation revealed that between November 2020 and April 2021, CBP had intercepted four other parcels of DMT powder addressed to Aardema, totaling approximately 20 kilograms. When police executed a search warrant on Aardema's home, he claimed he ordered the DMT because he was 'really into tie-dying,' despite having no tie-dying equipment. Aardema admitted to receiving the Mimosa hostilis powder from Brazil and reshipping it to as many as six people across the U.S. While on state bond, Aardema also allegedly sold LSD and DMT to an undercover police informant on the Virginia Tech campus.

  • In September 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers examined a parcel addressed to Aardema's home and found over 11 kilograms of DMT powder.
  • Between November 2020 and April 2021, CBP intercepted four other parcels of DMT powder addressed to Aardema, totaling approximately 20 kilograms.
  • In October 2021, law enforcement executed a state search warrant on Aardema's home.
  • In March and April 2025, while on state bond, Aardema allegedly sold LSD and DMT to an undercover police informant on the Virginia Tech campus.

The players

Charles Herman Aardema III

A 28-year-old man from Ripplemead, Virginia who was arrested on charges of attempting to possess with intent to distribute DMT and distributing LSD.

Raul Wictor Silva Batista

The individual in Brazil who allegedly shipped the DMT powder to Aardema.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal agency that intercepted the parcels of DMT powder addressed to Aardema.

Blacksburg Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that independently arranged controlled purchases of LSD and DMT from Aardema on the Virginia Tech campus.

Department of Homeland Security- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

The federal agency that investigated the case along with local law enforcement.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Aardema's bail conditions at a hearing next week.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat the growing threat of powerful synthetic drugs being distributed, especially in areas with high student populations.