Federal agents fanned out across dozens of cities Wednesday, serving hundreds of warrants to synthetic drug makers and sellersFederal agents raided homes, warehouses and smoke shops early Wednesday as part of a nationwide crackdown on the synthetic drug trade.
AP reports that agents have fanned out across cities in at least 25 states, serving search and arrest warrants to synthetic drug makers and sellers. According to a Drug Enforcement Administration spokesperson, the operation encompasses 33 DEA cases and seven investigations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The largest sting operation focused on Alabama, and included operations in Florida and New Mexico, according to the AP. Drug enforcement officials warn that the illegal drugs, marketed as 'bath salts,' spice,' or 'molly,' can be laced with harmful additives that pose a risk to public health. In 2013, poison centers reported 1,821 calls related to exposure to synthetic marijuana.
Synthetic marijuana is not listed as an illegal drug, so vendors can sell it without fear of legal repercussions, as TIME reported in an April cover story on the dramatic rise of synthetic pot's popularity.
[ AP]
Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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