Detectives from the western Ventura County Narcotics Task Force said Wednesday they have concluded an investigation into local sales of “Spice” — also known as synthetic marijuana — after targeting more than 32 smoke shops throughout the county. Nine shops sold “Spice” to undercover officers including two in Santa Paula.
Just last month officials of the Santa Paula High Unified School District issued a public warning about the use of “Spice” after several disturbing incidents on campus involving unruly or ill students were linked to usage of the drug.
According to Santa Paula Police Officer Frank Huerta, a member of the county task force, the investigation began in September after a rising number of incidents were linked to the use of “Spice” and the over-aggressiveness it can cause in users.
Buys were made at smoke shops that made “Spice” readily available but kept the substance behind the counter.
“You had to ask for it,” said Huerta, although clerks “were selective to whom they sold it to … they had to be familiar,” with the person making the purchase.
Huerta said undercover officers first had to visit the shops, “Build a rapport,” with the clerks and know the right name to use to ask for the “Spice” which is packaged under several brand names.
And, once the clerks became familiar with the “customers” that knew what to ask for, Huerta said, “They sold it to them … ” on more than one occasion.
Of the nine stores where “Spice” was sold detectives found a combined 43 pounds of the substance as well as a stolen handgun, evidence of sales of prescription drugs and 10 gambling slot machines.
Four people were arrested on suspicion of various violations, but none according to the task force, were arrested on charges directly related to “Spice” — such changes are pending testing to determine if the materials seized contain any chemicals designated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as controlled substances and thus illegal.
“Spice” is a mix of herbs and chemicals touted as a safe, legal alternative to marijuana, but it has been found to be mind-altering when manmade chemicals are applied to it.
Authorities say that in stores, it is often disguised as incense or potpourri and marked “Not for human consumption” but packaged to attract young consumers using names such as “Diablo, Scooby Snax, Atomic Bomb, Mr. Nice Guy, Dead Man, Frankin’ Stoned, Bob Marley, Mr. Happy, Mind Trip, and iBlown.”
Officials say the chemicals have no medical benefits and a high potential for abuse. In response, the DEA has designated the active chemicals most often found in “Spice” as controlled substances that in the users can cause violent and aggressive behavior.
Those arrested were: Ilias Youssef, 37 Ventura; Abdo Alhaddad, 26, Ventura; Dominic Diaz, 35, Santa Paula; and Charlene Galvan, 30, Oxnard.
Task force undercover officers were able to purchase “Spice” at four locations in Oxnard, two locations each in Santa Paula and Fillmore, and one location in Ventura.
The Ventura County Narcotics Task Force is made up of narcotics detectives from the Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, California Franchise Tax Board, Oxnard Police Department, Santa Paula Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office working cooperatively in the investigation of narcotics offenses occurring in Ventura County.
