Authorities Take Down Operation Distributing Synthetic Drugs Throughout Tri-State Area
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Fifteen people are under arrest in Montgomery County for running what law enforcement officials call "a major regional synthetic drug and drug paraphernalia network" throughout the Philadelphia area.
Officials set up a dummy company in Souderton, Pa. in an effort to crackdown on the illegal sale of synthetic drugs. That led them to J-and-L Wholesale Distributors in Allentown, Pa. which they say was supplying gas stations and convenience stores throughout the area with products designed to appeal to young people who think they're safe.
District Attorney Risa Ferman says they seized enough paraphernalia to fill two tractor trailers and more than $900,000 in cash.
"That just gives you some idea of the significant financial benefit that these people gather from this business," she said. "This is a huge profitable business and these people are in it for the money."
Ferman says the actual synthetic drugs were sold and shipped by a subsidiary company in Delaware.
In August of last year, legislation took effect in Pennsylvania banning the sale and possession of these drugs and prosecutors vowed to go after people who distributed and sold them.
