Five smoke shops and two homes were raided in the Morongo Basin Thursday, and tens of thousands of dollars of synthetic drugs were seized. According to a Sheriff’s press release, detectives from the Narcotics division Marijuana Eradication Team raided the Adobe Smoke Shop, K Smoke Shop, and STC Smoke Shop in Twentynine Palms, and King Smoke Shop and Puffs Smoke Shop in Yucca Valley, along with the homes of two smoke shop owners in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree. Detectives seized hundreds of packages of spice and bath salts. The packages contained pre-measured amounts for individual sales. The suspects also sold spice to customers in bulk, if requested. Additional evidence seized included two firearms, illicit proceeds from the sales of the synthetic drugs, and a small quantity of methadone and Xanax. The synthetic drugs have a retail value in excess of $50,000. The suspects and owners were cited and the investigation will be forwarded to the District Attorney for filing criminal charge. Additionally the city of Twentynine Palms may take action for violations of city ordinances prohibiting the sales of synthetic drugs.
SYNTHETIC DRUG RAIDS
