A Lexington business owner and an employee have been charged for trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids by the the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
ABC said a total of 2,576 packets of various brands weighing about 48.6 lbs. with a street value of $440,890, were found at the Dollar Store Plus on Lima Drive, at the business owner’s home and at an employee’s home.
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ABC investigators and Lexington Police detectives executed a search warrant on Jan. 16 at the Dollar Store Plus (Deya Inc.), an ABC-licensed business owned by Ahmad Abdul.
Detectives said they had made two controlled buys of synthetic cannabinoids from the owner and an employee, Hassan Thabata, in December 2013 and January 2014.
AbdulJaber was present and consented to a search of his home in Lexington, where a large quantity of synthetic cannabinoids was discovered. Thabata, also consented to a search of his house in Lexington, where another large quantity was recovered.
Detectives cited AbdulJaber and Thabata for trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids.
ABC will charge Deya Inc. with the administrative violation of KRS 244.120, or Disorderly Premises. If found guilty, the business would face the suspension or revocation of its license by ABC.
Synthetic Cannabinoids are listed as a controlled substance under KRS Chapter 218A. The substance imitates marijuana but is known to cause more hallucinogenic effects on the user.
“The use of these substances is very dangerous, and the ability for ABC to work with local law enforcement to help get these cannabinoids off the street is important,” said ABC Commissioner Fredrick Higdon.
Manufacturers of synthetic cannabinoids apply a chemical combination to plant materials and then market them under the guise of incense, often labeled “not for human consumption.”
“Retailers and street level dealers know that this product is being used by the consumers as an alternative to marijuana,” Higdon said. “The individual packets are labeled with names such as ‘Joker,’ ‘Caution’ and ‘Scooby Snax.’ One of the many dangers of synthetic drugs is that the manufacturer can put any sort of harmful chemicals they want in them. A consumer may never know what exactly it is they are inhaling or ingesting.”
Anyone who becomes aware that these items are being sold should contact their local law enforcement agency immediately.
