DETROIT – Police chiefs in Canton, Plymouth and Northville townships on Monday announced their offices are sending letters to nearly 100 businesses in the western Wayne community warning they could face criminal or civil penalties if they sell an increasingly popular and dangerous drug commonly, known as "K2," "spice," and "bath salts."
Over the last several weeks, the western Wayne community response team (CRT) sent undercover officers into over twenty-five gas stations, stores and markets throughout the three communities and attempted to purchase the synthetic drugs commonly referred to as "K2 or spice."
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Of the twenty-five plus stores visited, three store clerks provided the synthetic drug to undercover agents. At one location, the store clerk produced the product, from below the counter, labeled "space cadet/blueberry," and stated that "one hit will really mess you up."
The purchased substances were subsequently submitted to the Michigan State Police crime lab for testing and analysis.
The lab determined that the tested substances did not contain any controlled substances.
Although they may be technically legal, these untested and uncontrolled substances are 500 to 2,000 times stronger than the actual illicit substances that they mimic. Some people that are buying these substances and ingesting them believe they are legal and safe. However, medical professionals are advising not to.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Fighting the K2 drug epidemic
Many businesses and business owners are exploiting loopholes in federal regulations and state laws and selling substances, primarily to young people, that are extremely harmful and dangerous. Each of these locations and all other locations within the three communities will be served with letters asking them to immediately cease and desist possession, manufacture, distribution and sale of these compounds.
The police departments are asking for voluntary compliance of the businesses to stop the selling of all synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones.
This investigation is being led by the western Wayne criminal investigations, community response team consisting of officers from each of the following communities:
- Canton twp
- Northville twp
- Plymouth twp
- Wayne co sheriff's office
- MSP
Should a citizen see any of these products being displayed or sold at a store, please report it to your local law enforcement agency.