A Prince George’s County liquor store owner pleaded guilty Wednesday to buying and selling contraband alcohol as part of a conspiracy that prosecutors say included then-County Executive Jack Johnson. Amrik Melhi, 51, owner of several county liquor stores including Tick Tock Liquors in Hyattsville, entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion for his role in a multistate alcohol smuggling ring that bypassed Maryland state taxes on the spirits.

Also involved in the operation were a Prince George’s County police officer, Richard Delabrer, as well as Johnson, prosecutors said.