Deputies seize the 'spice'
COEUR d'ALENE - More than five pounds of a synthetic form of marijuana known as "spice" was seized on Tuesday from two Kootenai County businesses.
Search warrants were served at the Big Smoke shops in Coeur d'Alene, at 213 W. Appleway Ave., and in Hayden, at 281 W. Hayden Ave.
Spice is marketed under the names K2, Posh, Bliss and Stone, and Genie. It has also been sold under names like Black Mamba, Yucatan Fire, Voodoo and Blaze.
Police have said spice is herbs coated with a synthetic chemical that mimics a marijuana high when smoked. Spice can cause hallucinations, dangerously high blood pressure, increased heart rate, agitation, and numbness in the body.
In addition to being sold at smoke shops, the drug can be found online.
Kootenai County Sheriff's Department investigators and others assigned to the North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force handled the investigation that led to the search.
Calls to the Big Smoke shop in Coeur d'Alene were directed to Big Smoke's central office in Boise, but representatives there didn't return a message seeking comment.
Along with the 2,400 grams of spice seized by investigators, they also netted approximately $5,000 in cash.
Undercover officers purchased the drug from both establishments in previous weeks, according to sheriff's department spokesman Maj. Ben Wolfinger.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the distribution source for the product, and charging decisions are pending, Wolfinger said.
New laws passed this year by the Idaho Legislature made spice and the drug known as "bath salts" illegal in Idaho, he said.
The law change was in addition to pharmacy board rules that were enacted last year.
Investigators will continue to monitor local establishments for sales of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. Violators might be subject to prison terms, fines and civil forfeiture of money and property, he said.
Spice has become a serious health concern due to a rise in emergency room visits by persons under the influence of the substance.