Authorities Work to Enforce Ban on Synthetic Marijuana

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued Thursday, April 5, by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

In a continuing effort to enhance public safety, Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. announced today the conclusion of a three-prong countywide initiative to enforce compliance of the recently enacted statewide ban of synthetic marijuana.

This joint law enforcement venture between the prosecutor’s office and the Mercer County Chiefs of Police Association comes in the wake of the ban announced by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General on Feb. 29. 

“Now was the appropriate time to monitor compliance,” Bocchini said.  “These substances are not safe, and threaten the health and safety of those who use them.  The attorney general has provided us with a valuable instrument to combat the imminent danger posed by these drugs to the Mercer County community, and we are going to use it.”

George C. Meyer, president of the Mercer County Chiefs of Police Association, noted that the use and sale of synthetic marijuana has been a topic of discussion among the county police chiefs for well over a year.  “Law enforcement has been aware of the various forms of these designer drugs for a couple of years,” he said.  “During the short time it has been sold, synthetic marijuana has had devastating effects on children and adults.  As a chiefs association, we extend our appreciation to the attorney general for his critical action, and to the prosecutor for spearheading this compliance initiative.  Improving the quality of life for our residents is truly a collaborative effort.”

The three-prong approach began after the statewide ban was announced by the attorney general on Feb. 29.  Local law enforcement has maintained an open line of communication with retail establishments previously known to sell these substances.  Officers used the opportunity to make store owners and managers aware of the March 9 deadline, and to encourage them to voluntarily surrender the products during the 10-day grace period and not face criminal charges.

Coordinating their efforts through the prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit, local police departments identified delis, corner markets, bodegas, gas stations, smoke shops and novelty stores in all of Mercer’s municipalities.  During the few weeks since March 9, undercover officers were sent into more than 30 retail establishments throughout the county, attempting to purchase the now-illegal products. 

“We were pleased to discover that the majority of retailers were in compliance,” Bocchini said.

Only one arrest was made as a result of the initiative.  Bakulesh Patel, owner of Pantry Farms on West Upper Ferry Road in Ewing Township, was charged with multiple counts of drug possession and drug distribution.  A search warrant executed at the store on March 26 turned up 16 packets of “Wicked Magic,” a brand name of synthetic marijuana, and two empty boxes labeled with the name of another brand, “Sonic Boom.”

Both Bocchini and Meyer largely credited this positive result to local police departments being in tune with the communities they serve.  “The early visits with retailers were important and beneficial,” Bocchini said.  “They allowed for positive interaction and education, and also gave law enforcement the opportunity to send a clear message of its intended vigilance.”

After the completion of the undercover portion of the initiative, officers wrapped up with a final phase that Bocchini described as a “knock and talk” approach.  Store owners and managers were given copies of the law, and related literature about these drugs and their harmful effects.

See Also:

Feb. 17: ""

Feb. 29: ""