Federal prosecutors have charged Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas with drug trafficking and money laundering, alleging she ran a criminal marijuana enterprise. An indictment unsealed on Thursday named Lucas and six other defendants, including several relatives. The Justice Department said Lucas self surrendered ahead of a planned news conference. Prosecutors accuse Lucas of leading an enterprise that acquired and distributed large quantities of marijuana and laundered the proceeds, while using her position to avoid scrutiny. FBI Director Kash Patel said the charges allege Lucas and a close group of family members and associates orchestrated a multi-year scheme to enrich their marijuana business, dubbed the “Lucas Enterprise.” The FBI searched Lucas’ hometown office and a cannabis shop in which she has a stake in May. The DOJ also reported that, earlier this year, it sent letters to journalists, politicians and others in Lucas’ orbit saying their communications had been intercepted under a court-approved wiretap running for two one-month periods. Lucas, 82, has served in the Virginia Senate since 1992 and leads the chamber’s powerful finance committee. She has been a vocal supporter of marijuana legalization and co-opened The Cannabis Outlet in 2021, selling hemp and CBD products. Prosecutors said Lucas’ most recent financial disclosure forms did not list the business by name. Lucas is currently charged in an ongoing federal case after the indictment was unsealed, with her prosecution set to proceed following her self-surrender, DOJ said.