RUH ROH: 'Synthetic Narcotics' Popular with Some Hi Desert Military Personnel, Teenagers

Sheriff's investigators searched five smoke shops and two homes Thursday, cited two business owners, and accused them of selling alleged "synthetic narcotics" - including a substance in packaging featuring Scooby Doo - to military personnel and teenagers in the Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms area.

"Recently,  detectives and patrol deputies received information that military personnel and local teenage kids were purchasing synthetic narcotics, referred to as 'Spice' and 'Bath Salts' from smoke shops in Twentynine Palms," San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said in a statement distributed Friday May 24.

According to the Sheriff's Department, spice is a synthetic narcotic similar to marijuana, and bath salts are synthetic forms of narcotics similar to methamphetamine, LSD and cocaine.

During their investigation, undercover detectives purchased an unspecified quantity of spice from owners and clerks at the smoke shops, sheriff's officials said.

Beginning around 10 a.m. May 23, detectives prepared and served search warrants at three businesses on Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms, two smoke shops in Yucca Valley, and two homes of the business owners, sheriff's officials said.

The businesses were identified as Adobe Smoke Shop, K Smoke Shop, and STC Smoke Shop in Twentynine Palms, and King Smoke Shop and Puffs Smoke Shop in Yucca Valley. The two homes are located in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree, sheriff's officials said.

"Detectives seized hundreds of packages of Spice and Bath Salts," sheriff's officials said. "The packages contained premeasured amounts for individual sales. The suspects also utilized a bulk container to sell any amount of Spice desired by the customer."

Sheriff's officials said the synthetic drugs seized have a retail value of more than $50,000. Detectives and deputies also seized two firearms, iproceeds from sales of the synthetic drugs, and small quantities of Methadone and Xanax, sheriff's officials said.
"The suspects/owners were cited and the investigation will be forwarded to the District Attorney for filing of criminal charges," sheriff's officials said. "Additionally, the City of Twentynine Palms may take action for violations of city ordinances prohibiting the sale of synthetic drugs."

Effects of synthetic marijuana can include agitation, extreme nervousness, nausea, vomiting, fast, racing heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, tremors and seizures, hallucinations, and dilated pupils, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Effects of bath salt use can be similar to adverse effects of cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, extreme paranoia, hallucinations, and violent behavior, which can cause users to harm themselves or others, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Labeling, packaging and product names associated with spice and bath salts are commonly marketed to appeal to teenage customers. Cartoon characters, colorful graphics and names familiar to adolescents are often used. One package seized and photographed by investigators featured the cartoon dog detective Scooby Doo.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Division Marijuana Eradication Team assisted deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station with an investigation related to the sales of synthetic narcotics. 

Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division at (909)890-4840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.