The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oxford Police Department began an investigation into the distribution of 4-fluoro MDMB-BUTINACA which is a Synthetic Cannabinoid commonly referred to as Spice or K2 after several high school students from local high schools had adverse reactions to the drug.
Some students had to be transported to a local hospital after using the drug. All students were ultimately released from the hospital.
Investigators were able to make undercover drug purchases of the Spice from a local convenient store/gas station over the previous months which lead to a search warrant at the apartment of Amar Saidi (35 years old) and Farooq Elshareqi (34 years old) located at the Links Apartments in Oxford, Mississippi.
Investigators seized numerous vape pens marked with “12 Monkey CBD” on them which contained the Synthetic Cannabinoid (Spice/K2). The Spice/K2 has been reported to cause psychoactive effects similar to delta-9-tetrahyrocannabinol (THC) which is the active ingredient in marijuana and has caused adverse events, including death.
Investigators seized $2,594.00, two rifles and two handguns during the search warrant at the Links.
Lafayette County Sheriff Joey East said that the Spice/K2 seized in this investigation is chemically similar to marijuana but it has a much different effect on users which causes some users to have to be hospitalized.
Sheriff East advises parents of students who allow them to vape, thinking it is safer than smoking, to be aware that many students will use legal vape products and then put Spice/K2 into an empty vape cartridge.
Sheriff East said local students have exhibited confusion, psychotic and violent behavior, seizures and loss of consciousness after using Spice/K2 purchased locally in Oxford.
Sheriff East wants the citizens of Lafayette County to be informed of the dangers of using Spice and be assured that the Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Oxford Police Department and Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit will investigate any business or individuals distributing Spice/K2.
Both Saidi and Elshareqi were taken into custody on March 25 and have made bond. Presently, only Saidi was charged with the distribution of a Synthetic Cannabinoid.
Elshareqi was charged with other drug violations.
Is more widespread than one store. The Brittany store also peddles this same drug laced pen as does another Store on Hwy 7 in Water Valley.