Verde Valley AZ (December 13, 2012) – On Tuesday [December 13, 2012], Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk issued Cease and Desist Letters to all known Internet Sites selling synthetic drugs, the dangerous street drugs that go by the harmless sounding names of bath salts and spice.
The drugs are packaged to mimic the appearance and names of recreational illegal drugs, such as marijuana and methamphetamine, and have intense, unpredictable, dangerous and addictive effects. The street names for these drugs include Go Fast, K2, Spice, Sprinklezz, Incense, Potpourri, Herbal Sachets, Glass Cleaner, Felt Cleaner, Go Fast Carpet Cleaner, Exuberance Powder, Tickle Talc, Bath Salts, Smokin’ Dragon, Mr. Nice Guy, Fear and Loathing, Diablo, Amped, G6, Eight Ballz, White Lightening, Crazy Train, Hashish 6X, Token Monkey, Black Gold 20X, Legal Devil, Funky Green Stuff, and Bliss.
The Cease and Desist letter seeks the voluntary cooperation of internet sellers, asking them to cease selling and distributing these drugs to residents and businesses in Yavapai County or face possible legal action. The letter provides internet sellers with a copy of Yavapai County’s “Synthetic Drugs Community Protection Agreement for Internet Sellers” to sign, and a notice to post on their websites stating they do not sell these drugs.
The push to halt the sale via the internet of synthetic drugs to residents of Yavapai County is the latest in a months-long campaign to eliminate these drugs countywide. In May of this year, the Yavapai County Attorney’s office launched “Operation Community Protection,” asking retailers to sign an Agreement stating that they will not sell spice or bath salts. Many Yavapai County retailers signed the agreements and voluntarily ceased selling the drugs.
The second phase of the operation was dubbed “Operation Public Nuisance” wherein the Yavapai County Attorney filed a lawsuit against all known retailers alleging the drugs constitute a public nuisance. The Office successfully obtained Preliminary and Permanent Injunctions against most of the named defendants.
Evidence in that lawsuit established that the synthetic drugs cause serious physical and mental harm to the users such as dangerous increases in metabolic rates resulting in dangerous hyperthermia (overheating), increased heart rate, stroke, cardiovascular collapse, seizures, and death. Users often suffer from delusions and hallucinations, exhibiting signs of severe psychosis, paranoia and anxiety. The use of these drugs has caused a serious and negative impact on emergency medical services in Yavapai County. Specifically, the judge noted a dramatic increase over the last eighteen months in patients needing emergency medical treatment, many of whom were often aggressive and violent toward those attempting to render assistance. A hearing on the County Attorney’s Application for Default Judgment in the case is set for Friday, December 28, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Division 7, Verde Valley Justice Center.
“Operation Internet Sellers” is phase three of the campaign. The Yavapai County Attorney’s Office asks that community members with information about any internet websites selling “bath salts” or “spice” to residents or businesses in Yavapai County contact the office at (928) 771-3344 and ask to speak to Maggie.
A copy of the affidavits detailing the harm to the public, the injunctions banning sales, and other public documents can be found at the Yavapai County Attorney’s website at Court Pleadings Relating to Bath Salts Ban | Yavapai County Attorney’s Office. A copy of the Cease and Desist Letter to all known Internet Sellers of Synthetic Drugs is located on the website at .
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