Police Actions in Savannah, Ga Questionable

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Hello Bluelight members:

Well this will be my first post. This post has been prompted by the Savannah, Georgia => Chatham Narcotics Team [CNT] started circulating around Savannah, Ga . Detals{Article is URL to source, click anywhere in the text box]

Crack Down on "Herbal Incense" Drugs (Added: October 21, 2011)The drug -- also known as "spice" -- causes hallucinations and psychotic episodes. But it also has more serious side effects like strokes and chest pains. (more)

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Published: October 21, 2011

SAVANNAH, G.A. --

A big crackdown is underway on so-called "herbal incense" drugs.

Chatham county authorities are going around to convenience stores, telling them to stop selling the products.

It's a crime and safety report--

The drug -- also known as "spice" -- causes hallucinations and psychotic episodes.

But it also has more serious side effects like strokes and chest pains.

It's a dangerous trend, and that's why authorities want to put a stop to it now.

News 3's Meredith Ley joins us with more on their efforts.

Narcotics teams are driving all over town today hand delivering more than 200 letters to the mangers of those local businesses.

They are answering questions and explaining exactly what will happen their stores don't comply, and they let me come along for the ride.

As a Narcotic Agent, Gene Harley spends most of his time getting drugs off the streets, but today he is working on something different -- drug education.

"These are legitimate persons, who are trying to support their families with their businesses, and we respect that. Other than these items, they are engaging in legal activities."

Harley is just one of about a dozen narcotic agents passing out these letters to businesses about the new laws cracking down on some of their possible inventory.

"This letter is going to all of Chatham County. It's a letter stating that selling bath salts and synthetic marijuana is illegal and car really mess people up."

The label says it's not intended for human consumption, but as agents battle the newest trends in drugs and distribution, manufactures find new ways to get around the system.

"The companies will say it contains this, this and this, and then 94 percent of their own special blend. But they don't say what the blend is. We've had cases where violent crimes have occurred, and later people will say that they had just smoked synthetic marijuana and they simply blacked out. They don't remember what ever crime they committed."

Rather than arrest business owners, Harley and his team are making calls and helping business get back on the right track.

"One of the owners said he did not know that it was illegal, and now that he is aware, he was going to pull it off the shelves and discontinue any further purchases. I did not see any on the shelf and he had no problem accepting the letter, and he thanked us for making him aware."

CNT is asking business to voluntarily remove the products, and if they fail to comply, the owners and employees could be charged with distributing a controlled substance -- which carries a minimum five year felony sentence and up to 30 years for a first offense.

Now I do not know how the rest of you see this, but when the local law shows up to tell you that what you are selling is illegal [without taking any samples], but the good new is I have a document which I want you to sigh that states you will from this point forward stop selling these said products and agree to never sell them again. Oh and last but not least I need you the store owner to give me your remaining inventory of said products which I will dispose of.

So how does that sound to all of you law abiding citizens out there?? Did I mention failure to sign said letter which was hand delivered by uniformed gun carrying officers.

Now if you are "ASKING" me not to sell said products, you could :

1. Tell me exactly what chemical my product contains that is illegal.
2. Tell me exactly which Federal, State, or local law I am in violation of.
3. To enter my store in uniform and carrying a side arm is considered to be storm trooper tactics and even if I had signed the dumb statement I would scream it was under duress.
4. Last time I checked for the Police to tell me something is illegal and suggest that I give it to them to dispose of properly when in fact it is not is considered Theft by deception.

So let me end this short rant for now, until I see how the rest of the nation weighs in on this situation.
I mean really who is the criminal here , Us or the Police who know better.

 

[Chainer]

Better suited for Drugs In The Media, or the synthetic discussion here in CD.... although it sounds like you are talking about being a merch selling blends that contain no analogs (yeah, sure). Regardless, this is not the place for it. Your blog may be a fine place for it.