Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Synthetic Marijuana Seized
WEATHERFORD (CBSDFW.COM) Parker County Special Crimes Unit members have seized more than $20,000 worth of synthetic marijuana at a store in Weatherford Friday evening.
The synthetic marijuana were found at the Tobacco & More store located at 3017 Ranger Highway. 890 packages of synthetic marijuana, also known as K-2, were seized by investigators. The total amount seized K-2 is believed to have a street value of about $26,700.
"From the records which were seized, we can accurately state the suspects were making a daily average profit of $3,100," said Sheriff's Special Crime Unit Lt. Mike Camp. "At least 95 percent of those sales were directly from K-2."
The store owner, identified as 40-year-old Francisco Don Uduwarage, and store clerk, 27-year-old Sanka Dilhara Welihinda, have been arrested. Both men say they are citizens of the Indian Ocean island nation of Sri Lanka. Local officials have contacted Immigration and Naturalization Services.
Both men told investigators they knew the products were illegal to sell and kept the K-2 hidden within the store and only sold it to trusted, known customers. While the K-2 product packages state K-2 is not for human consumption, Uduwarage said customers who purchased K-2 also purchased products used to smoke it.
Camp said local smoke shops have been under investigation since a state law was passed in September 2011, banning the use, possession or purchase of K-2.
"Proper testing is now currently available and has proven beneficial to local and state cases," Camp said. "This is a monumental win for law enforcement and state prosecutors."
Investigators also arrested a third person in relation to the seizure. 50-year-old Karen C. Erin C. Erwin had entered the store and attempted to purchase K-2. She was also in possession of 1.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine. She has been arrested and charged with possession of a controlled seizure.
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