OCSO: Businesses busted selling Spice, bath salts

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office conducted four simultaneous search warrant raids on specialty shops around Okaloosa County that are selling controlled substances commonly known as “Spice” and “bath salts” as part of their business practice.

They said the searches were done with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Niceville Police Department and the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

Investigators said a fifth search warrant was executed at the home of store owner Patrick Anderson of Bluewater Bay. In addition, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a similar raid on a business there.

Deputies said law enforcement officers have purchased substances from the businesses that have been confirmed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as being controlled substances, or analogs of controlled substances as defined in Florida State Statute 893.0356.

Authorities said this is part of an ongoing problem.

Okaloosa County, the State of Florida, and the United States are plagued with specialty shops and internet sites that are selling synthetic cannabinoids, which are designed to mimic tetrahydrocannabinol/THC (THC the primary psychotropic chemical found in marijuana) and synthetic cathinones, which are designed to mimic cocaine, methamphetamine and other controlled stimulants.

Officials said in some instances, these untested and uncontrolled substances are 500 to 2000 times stronger than the actual illicit substance.

Investigators said some people buying these substances and ingesting them believe that they are legal and safe. However, medical professionals are advising otherwise.