Authorities Vow To Crack Down On Sale Of Synthetic Drugs After Deadly Crash In Pottstown
By Brad Segall
POTTSTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Montgomery County authorities were vowing to crack down on stores that sell synthetic drugs after a Pottstown man, allegedly high on K-2, killed two people in a crash in the spring.
According to prosecutors, Roger Malloy faced two counts of vehicular homicide while under the influence after he admitted to police that he smoked K-2 five or ten minutes before the crash that killed two passengers in his car on May 21st.
Police say the substance was bought at the Achi Market on High Street in Pottstown. The owner Rafie Alie and the clerk Mohammed Himed were arrested on Sunday night and were facing drug charges. District Attorney Risa Ferman says they couldn't charge them with homicide.
"Make no mistake," Ferman says. "They do have blood on their hands and the tragic deaths that took place in Pottstown in May of 2012 flow directly from the sale of these illegal drugs."
The D.A. adds the two men are no better than the street corner or school yard drug dealer.
"They're selling them primarily to young people," she points out. "Because they believe that young people will believe this is a safe alternative to other substances. Nothing is further from the truth."
Ferman says Malloy told them the substance caused his heart to beat faster, blurred his vision and created a sense of panic.
Police executed a search warrant at the store and seized vials of K-2, crack pipes, cash and a handgun.
