Synthetic marijuana investigation in Washington Co. nets 8 arrests

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Eight arrests were made as a result of an extensive investigation into the sale of synthetic marijuana in the Washington County area, District Attorney Eugene Vittone announced Friday.

Vittone said the nearly two-year investigation centered on retail locations that have sold the drug, which is known as K2 or “spice.” Investigators said they seized 1 million grams of the drug over the course of the two years.

Doctors say K2 can be 100 times stronger than the most potent marijuana. The drug is actually a plain plant that is sprayed with unknown, dangerous chemicals. The label calls it a potpourri and says it is not meant to be smoked, but investigators said that is exactly what children are doing, and ending up in the emergency room.

“[Children] think it’s safe. This is a very powerful, dangerous chemical,” said Gateway Health Medical Director Neil Capretto. “One of our therapists went into a community and talked to 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds. They’re saying this is their substance of choice.”

Vittone said the eight people arrested on Friday were making $2,000 to $5,000 a day selling K2.

“The individuals who are named in the arrest warrants are part of a ring that distributed the illegal drug through convenience stores throughout the county over the past several years,” Vittone said.

Among those arrested were Snehal Patel, Pratishka Patel, Randy Berger, Dharmesh Jain, David DiBello, Andrew Schade, Richard Schran and Kailash Patel, Vittone said.

“We have seen a dramatic rise in the use of synthetic marijuana, K2 and ‘bath salts,’ as well as the undesirable side effects that accompany them,” Vittone said.

Authorities told Channel 11’s Cara Sapida that all eight suspects are expected to post bond.

“The action taken today is a continuation of the mission of the office to protect young adults and children from dangerous drugs in our community,” Vittone said. “I compliment the hard undercover work of the law enforcement team in reducing this threat by enforcing the ban placed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration on these substances.”

WPXI