Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Detectives from the Ventura County Narcotic Task Force concluded an investigation which began in September 2014 into the sales of “Spice” in Ventura County. Spice is a mix of herbs (shredded plant material) with manmade chemicals applied to it which is mind-altering. It is often called “synthetic marijuana” because some of the chemicals in it are similar to ones in marijuana; but its effects are sometimes very different from marijuana, and frequently much stronger. It is most often labeled “Not for Human Consumption” and disguised as incense and potpourri. However, the sellers of Spice know it is being consumed and package labeling to attract young consumers. Some of the packaging labels include, “Diablo, Scooby Snax, Atomic Bomb, Mr. Nice Guy, Dead Man, Frankin Stoned, Bob Marley, Mr. Happy, Mind Trip, and iBlown.”

Because the chemicals used in Spice have a high potential for abuse and no medical benefit, the Drug Enforcement Administration has made many of the active chemicals most frequently found in Spice illegal. However, the people making these products continuously try to avoid these laws by altering the chemicals in their mixtures to circumvent emergency legislation. Sellers of Spice products try to lead people to believe the ingredients are “natural” and therefore harmless, but they are neither. Spice is the second-most popular illegal drug used by high school seniors (marijuana is the first). Easy access and the misperception that Spice is “natural” and safe have likely contributed to these higher rates of use. Its side effects, like the ingredients, often vary, but emergency rooms report seeing people with rapid heart rates, vomiting, agitation, and hallucinations. Using Spice can lead to abuse and even addiction as the body builds up tolerance to the drug’s effects over time and craves a higher dose to achieve the same effect. (Data from National Institute on Drug Usage NIDA)

Detectives began receiving complaints from patrol officers and officers assigned to local schools of incidents where Spice was involved. They found several incidents where students had become violent and aggressive while at school and the officers had to request medical aid for the students that were under the influence of Spice. The detectives found several other incidents where patrol officers had physical altercations with subjects throughout Ventura County under the influence of Spice and they described the individuals as having super human strength.

Detectives conducted undercover operations at over 32 smoke shops throughout Ventura County and were able to purchase Spice at 9 locations. Warrants were authored for the above locations. During the search warrants, the detectives located over 43 pounds of “Spice,” a stolen handgun, evidence of sales of prescription drugs and 10 gambling style slot machines. Arrests for the sales of “Spice” are still pending since the substances that were seized are still being analyzed to determine if they contain one of the illegal chemicals per the Drug Enforcement Administration. Four additional arrests were made during the service of the search warrants for the stolen gun, sales of prescription drugs and the slot machines.

If you’re a parent, talk to your teens about Spice. It’s not safe. It’s not natural. In fact, no one really knows what’s in a package of Spice. Manufacturers are using a variety of unknown chemical combinations to evade D.E.A. regulations. If you have information about Spice and locations where these products are being sold, call your local law enforcement agency. The Ventura County Narcotics Task Force will continue to investigate the sellers and manufacturers of Spice products.

The Ventura County Narcotics Task Force is made up of narcotics detectives from the Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, California Franchise Tax Board, Oxnard Police Department, Santa Paula Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office working cooperatively in the investigation of narcotics offenses occurring in Ventura County.

Nature of Incident: Narcotics Search Warrants / Arrests
Report Number: 15-30659 – 15-30365 (Oxnard Police Department) 14-21514 (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office)
Location(s):
1. Sam’s Smoke Shop 2820 E. Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard
2. Center Smoke Shop 801 E. Main Street, Santa Paula
3. 99 Cents & More 3133 Saviers Road, Oxnard
4. Station 1 Tobacco 616 E. Main Street, Ventura
5. Santa Paula Smoke Shop 319 E. Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula
6. Wild Zone Smoke Shop 2700 S. Ventura Road, Oxnard
7. Royal Spades 1037 S. Ventura Road, Oxnard
8. Central Smoke Shop 341 Central Avenue #105, Fillmore
9. Smoke for Less 616 Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 15, 2014
March 24, 2015
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Narcotics Task Force, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol, California Franchise Tax Board, Oxnard Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department and the Santa Paula Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Ilias Youssef Ventura 37
(S) Abdo Alhaddad Ventura 26
(S) Dominic Diaz Santa Paula 35
(S) Charlene Galvan Oxnard 30
Prepared by: Sergeant J. Hendren
Media Release Date: March 24, 2015
Follow-Up Contact: Captain John Reilly
805-947-6782
Approved by: Captain Curt Rothschiller

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).