'Spice', Bath Salts Seized In Raids; Smoke Shop Owners Cited
YUCCA VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Five smoke shops and two private residences in San Bernardino County were targeted during an investigation into reports of military personnel and local teens purchasing synthetic narcotics, authorities said Friday.
Deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Narcotics Division Marijuana Eradication Team, along with deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station, conducted the investigation on Thursday.
Undercover detectives purchased a quantity of the substance known as "Spice" from owners and clerks at the Adobe Smoke Shop, K Smoke Shop, and STC Smoke Shop in Twentynine Palms, as well as King Smoke Shop and Puffs Smoke Shop in Yucca Valley.
Two homes in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree belonging to smoke shop owners were also targeted, authorities said.
Detectives seized hundreds of packages of spice and bath salts, which contained pre-measured amounts for individual sales. They also confiscated two firearms, illicit proceeds from sales of the synthetic drugs, and a small quantity of Methadone and Xanax.
The synthetic drugs seized have a retail value in excess of $50,000, authorities said.
The suspects were cited and the investigation will be forwarded to the District Attorney for filing of criminal charges. Twentynine Palms officials may also take action for violations of city ordinances prohibiting the sale of synthetic drugs, authorities said.
