Bloomington Police Target Synthetic Marijuana, Otherwise Called K2/Spice
A major drug raid in Bloomington, Illinois has landed several local merchants in jail; the police also confiscated cash and merchandise allegedly connected to the emerging designer drug trade.
November 28, 2012
The authorities in Bloomington, Illinois have been busy recently. A raid in mid November of three local tobacco stores yielded four arrests and the seizure of large quantities of drugs, as well as $1 million in cash.What was the focus of the crackdown? New designer drug compounds known popularly as "K2" or "spice."
Charges for peddling spice cover a wide array of compounds
Spice/K2 is a synthetic cannabinoid that contains THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Unlike marijuana, designer synthetics are commonly sold in head shops and convenience stores, and are even available online.
Spice is made by lacing a mixture of plant leaves and stems with synthetic chemicals. Although K2 is commonly referred to as synthetic marijuana, most of the chemicals used to create it are far outside the spectrum of compounds found in organic cannabis.
Nearly every batch of spice is different, as chemists create new variations in an attempt to stay ahead of the law. But, both federal and Illinois law have broadly defined synthetic cannabinoids for enforcement purposes, and Illinois police agencies are now actively working to crack down on K2.
The local crackdown in November focused on three Global Tobacco stores, two located in Bloomington and another in Champaign. According to police, undercover officers were able to buy synthetic marijuana over the counter. When police raided the establishments, they seized large amounts of synthetic compounds packaged for sale along with $1 million in cash.
The four individuals arrested as part of the raid were each charged with delivery of a controlled substance.
Facing K2 charges like those arrested in Bloomington raid? Contact a lawyer
The changing chemical composition of synthetic marijuana compounds may be meant to baffle law enforcement agents, but it also presents challenges to shopkeepers. Just what is -- and is not -- legal can be difficult for store owners to determine. What's more, drug distribution charges are very serious. Anyone caught selling synthetic cannabinoids can face huge fines and lengthy prison sentences.
If you have been accused of a controlled substance offense, you may not feel like a drug dealer. But, that is exactly how the government will try to portray you while prosecuting your case. Your best bet to avoid the most serious consequences of a controlled substance arrest is to retain an experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. If you've been accused of misconduct involving a designer drug, talk to an Illinois criminal defense attorney today.
Article provided by Johnson Law Group
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