LR Stores Busted Selling Bath Salts, K-2
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: July 26, 2012
Drug enforcement officials busted two Little Rock stores in a nationwide sweep cracking down on businesses selling synthetic drugs, K-2- and bath salts.
Investigators say they found weapons and drugs known as bath salts and K-2 at stores located at 1300 S. Woodrow St. and 3200 Baseline Rd. during "Operation Log Jam." Authorities confiscated drugs and arrested over 90 people across the nation Wednesday.
One of those charged, Yousef Qattoum says, it's a mistake.
"On the package it says it's legal," Qattoum said while sharing his side of the story of how DEA agents found what they allege is synthetic marijuana inside his store.
"The company sold me the stuff, he sold me the natural stuff, like, he said it's legal 100 percent," he added.
One day after Qattoum says he was arrested and slapped with five felony charges, he stood near his register, defending the sale of what he called, "incense", admitting it's is different from standard scented sticks.
KARK 4 Brittney Johnson asked, "How much were you selling it for?"
"$7," Qattoum said.
"$7 dollars for incense? How much for $7," Johnson asked.
"One gram for $7," Qattoum responded.
"You sell incense in grams?" asked Johnson.
"Mmmhmm," Qattoum responded.
"A lot of kids think they are safe legal alternatives to marijuana, but they are not," said Cindy Moran, Quality Assurance Manager for the Arkansas State Crime Lab, speaking of synthetic drugs.
Moran says the number of synthetic drug cases coming through the lab keeps rising, adding that there have been 800 K-2 cases and 170 bath salt cases in the last two years.
"Lots of poison control calls, lots of emergency room visits here in Arkansas, we are seeing a lot of these effects here," said Moran.
While the state doesn't list the drug names, only the compounds that make the drugs as controlled illegal substances, Moran says the laws are still clear.
Qattoum claims it's a misunderstanding and the confusion over chemical names that landed him in cuffs.
"I think it's legal," he insisted.
Officials say K-2 and bath salts are actually similar, they know some users experience hallucinations but say they there is still a lot to learn about the lasting impact.
Investigators say they found weapons and drugs known as bath salts and K-2 at stores located at 1300 S. Woodrow St. and 3200 Baseline Rd. during "Operation Log Jam." Authorities confiscated drugs and arrested over 90 people across the nation Wednesday.
One of those charged, Yousef Qattoum says, it's a mistake.
"On the package it says it's legal," Qattoum said while sharing his side of the story of how DEA agents found what they allege is synthetic marijuana inside his store.
"The company sold me the stuff, he sold me the natural stuff, like, he said it's legal 100 percent," he added.
One day after Qattoum says he was arrested and slapped with five felony charges, he stood near his register, defending the sale of what he called, "incense", admitting it's is different from standard scented sticks.
KARK 4 Brittney Johnson asked, "How much were you selling it for?"
"$7," Qattoum said.
"$7 dollars for incense? How much for $7," Johnson asked.
"One gram for $7," Qattoum responded.
"You sell incense in grams?" asked Johnson.
"Mmmhmm," Qattoum responded.
"A lot of kids think they are safe legal alternatives to marijuana, but they are not," said Cindy Moran, Quality Assurance Manager for the Arkansas State Crime Lab, speaking of synthetic drugs.
Moran says the number of synthetic drug cases coming through the lab keeps rising, adding that there have been 800 K-2 cases and 170 bath salt cases in the last two years.
"Lots of poison control calls, lots of emergency room visits here in Arkansas, we are seeing a lot of these effects here," said Moran.
While the state doesn't list the drug names, only the compounds that make the drugs as controlled illegal substances, Moran says the laws are still clear.
Qattoum claims it's a misunderstanding and the confusion over chemical names that landed him in cuffs.
"I think it's legal," he insisted.
Officials say K-2 and bath salts are actually similar, they know some users experience hallucinations but say they there is still a lot to learn about the lasting impact.
