Monroe County authorities conduct synthetic marijuana sweep

Members of the Forsyth-Monroe Drug Task Force and Monroe County deputies visited every convenience store and gas station in the county Tuesday to confiscate synthetic marijuana.

The drug, also known as “spice,” is commonly sold as incense under trade names such as Crazy Monkey, Diablo, T8C, KUSH, K2 and others, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

The state Legislature put a ban on synthetic marijuana, which went into effect Tuesday, said Allison Selman-Willis, sheriff’s office spokeswoman.

Stores visited during the sweep were given a copy of the new law and were told they could be charged criminally if they sell or possess the substance in the future, according to the release.

Of the 32 stores visited, only five didn’t have synthetic marijuana in stock, Selman-Willis said.

Authorities seized 256 packages of the synthetic marijuana, weighing nearly two pounds, which have a retail value of nearly $10,000, according to the release.

Al Kotadaiya, manager of the Best Buy 87 convenience store on Ga. 87, said his store never stocked the product because of questions about its legality.

He said he didn’t have a problem with law enforcement visiting the store Tuesday.

Some of the stores had committed that they wouldn’t restock their shelves prior to the Tuesday sweep, Selman-Willis said.

Selman-Willis said deputies became aware that synthetic marijuana was gaining popularity in Monroe County about a month ago.

The drug is popular with young adults who think it’s safe because it has been sold legally in convenience stores, she said.

“But it’s not safe,” Selman-Willis said. “Unlike pot, this particular stuff can have a hallucinogenic quality.”

Use of the drug has resulted in deaths in other parts of the country, she said.

Deputies in Bibb County haven’t come into contact with the synthetic marijuana but will enforce the law if they see it, said Lt. Sean DeFoe, sheriff’s office spokesman.

Justin Seymour, an agent with the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, said the task force hasn’t started enforcement efforts. The task force works in Baldwin, Greene, Morgan, Putnam, Washington and Wilkinson counties.

“We’re giving them time to get it off the shelves,” he said.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.

This story was originally published March 28, 2012 at 3:49 PM.