Warning on synthetic drugs

By EDDIE DANIELS | The Tampa Tribune Published: November 25, 2012 Updated: November 25, 2012 - 12:00 AM

In an effort to combat the sale and use of synthetic drugs in Pasco County, local stores soon will receive cautionary letters from Sheriff Chris Nocco.

It will be the first and last formal warning pertaining to the sale of synthetic drugs.

A law adopted recently by the Pasco County Commission is the latest salvo in the fight against the use of such drugs. The ordinance makes the sale of synthetic drugs illegal and can garner fines of up to $500 per packet.

The letters will go out to businesses in coming weeks; enforcement of the new law will begin soon thereafter.

The sale or possession of Spice or bath salts, typically enclosed in packaging geared toward teens, will be a civil infraction.

"These store owners, they should know by now this is coming," Nocco said. "They should know the enforcement action we've taken so far. This is just another step and, thankfully, because of the county commissioners allowing this ordinance to go forward, this is just another tool for us to go after them."

Nocco said the law also gives county code enforcement officials authority to enforce the decree.

K2 or Spice is a mixture of herbs, marketed as incense, which is sprayed with a chemical compound. The herb is smoked and produces a drug-like high.

The chemical compound, which can create hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, increased heart rate and other conditions, is not illegal. That makes policing the synthetics difficult and selling them in stores legal.

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Warning on synthetic drugs