Sheriff Discovers Retailers Selling Illegal Synthetic Drugs

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office discovered some area gas stations were still selling the recently banned K2, Spice and other research chemicals. Sheriff’s officers found four retailers in unincorporated areas selling the illegal synthetic drugs as they were visiting retailers to educate them about the ban, April 13. 

No arrests were made, but the items were confiscated and the retailers were educated further.

“Most of the retailers were unaware of the ban,” said Sgt. John Koziol. “Our purpose was to educate the establishments. This all stems from when one of our officers was making a purchase and saw the stuff on the counter. We realized that maybe there wasn’t enough knowledge, so let’s educate the public before we make arrests.”

Under the Illinois Controlled Substance Act, as of Jan. 1, 2011, any person found  in possession of K2 or Spice could be charged with a Class 4 felony. Any person selling the synthetic drugs could be charged with a minimum of a Class 2 felony.

Koziol said the majority of the establishments selling the substance were in southern McHenry County. He said use of the substance has been a problem in area high schools for the last five or six years. Koziol said local police departments were also helping to educate retailers about the ban.

The synthetic drugs gained popularity in recent years because it is commonly believed that these drugs are not banned and do not produce harmful effects, which is not the case, according to a press release from McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren.

K2 and Spice are marketed as synthetic cannabis and produce an effect similar to using marijuana. Other synthetic drugs, 2CE, 2CB, 2CT2, and mephedrone are being abused, as well, and produce an effect similar to LSD, MDMA and amphetamines.

There are no studies on the long-term effects of these substances.

The sheriff’s office warns that some products may not contain the specific chemical compounds of K2 or Spice, but produce the same physiological effects. These are considered analogs of the banned K2 and Spice and are illegal.

Manufacturers of these synthetic drugs are continuously creating new products and names, which may be confusing to retailers, the press release explained.

More information is available on the Drug Enforcement Agency’s websites, Get Smart About Drugs and Just Think Twice. Concerned citizens can also call the McHenry County Crisis Line, 1-800-892-8900, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-762-7867, or McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, 815-338-2144.