ST. GEORGE – In the last few months, City of St. George Mayor Dan McArthur and the City Council have received information from multiple citizens, including concerned parents, regarding the purchase and use of suspected Spice from Mike’s Smoke Shop at locations in St. George and Washington City.
The Washington County Area Drug Task Force detectives opened an investigation into both locations and on various occasions were able to purchase Spice both in St. George and Washington City.
Given this information, the Washington County Area Drug Task Force applied for and received search warrants for both locations of Mike’s Smoke Shop. The search warrants were served on Jan. 11. Numerous items of evidence were collected.
A 28-year-old male from St. George has been arrested and charged with felony distribution of spice. He has been booked into the Washington County Jail.
In the past two years the Washington County area has seen an increase of individuals purchasing and using Spice which has very dangerous and potentially life threatening consequences.
Individuals are purchasing Spice from our local smoke shops within our County. Spice is marketed here in our community as “aroma therapy” or Reborn. It is typically packaged in a small pouch or small clear container. The ingredients listed on the packaging do not always reflect what’s actually in the product.
Submitted by: The St. George Police Department
Ed. note: Persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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Tooele Woman Arrested, Three Teens Cited for Possession, May 31, 2011
Teen Taken to Hospital after Overdosing on Spice, April 19, 2011
‘Spice’ Topic of City, Police Discussion Tonight, March 8, 2011
City to Hold Free Training on the Dangers of Spice, Feb. 22, 2011
Hatch lauds DEA decision to make synthetic marijuana illegal, Nov. 25, 2010
DEA using emergency scheduling to control synthetic marijuana, Nov. 24, 2010
Two arrested for smoking ‘spice’, Nov. 17, 2010
Hatch asks DEA to make ‘Spice’ illegal, Nov. 11, 2010
Officers arrest male on spice charges, Oct. 23, 2010
‘Spice’ banned in Hurricane, Oct. 8, 2010
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Wonder why the Washington County Drug Task Force doesn’t go after the huge heroin and cocaine trade in the area. Oh, right, that would require some competence.
It has been a mystery to me why this has still been sold in local shops (as if it were legal) when it is a substance you get a hefty ticket for having/using. Has this been allowed to create some revenue for our county?
Seriously…I really don’t like spice but why is St.George task force focussing on spice instead of the other drugs? Heroin,coccaine,Meth and pills are far worse! I guess focusing there time on the smoke shops that are just trying to make ends meat is easier apparently.
It’s funny that the St George Mayor and police department think that some incense that gives you a buzz is dangerous and one of the communities biggest problems. Of course it probably is more dangerous than plain old marijuana, but they would never admit that. PS Stop the wasteful drug war, please.
Little late to the party here, aren’t you Mickey? Or have you been “other wise occupied?”
God, are these businesses … stupid or what?! I consider them lucky to still even be open after multiple times getting busted! Town’s full of corrupt business owners, man!
Ed. ellipsis
No joke, Tyler, I agree. If i ran a smoke shop here, I’d be squeeky clean, cuz chances are, I’d already feel interrogated by the “good ol boys” of St George’s finest and city Hall just by the style of my business as it is. I also have to say I agree with others comments, I’m sick and tired of losing people to the heroin epidemic here, it’s becoming much worse than meth, can the Metro Task Force or whatever, turn their focus elsewhere and comb thru the drug and poverty-stricken ‘hoods of the city?
If my tax dollars continue being WASTED on this endless, stopless drug war, I’m gonna burst into flame!!! Dammit, America, let people do what they want with THEIR bodies as long as NO ONE ELSE is being HARMED!!!!!!! I’ve said it before and Ima say it again, FREEDOM IS A DELUSION!!!! period.
Why was Mike’s allowed to stay open after the LAST time this happened?