Raids target synthetic drugs, sellers across US

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Drug Enforcement Administration on Wednesday broadened its national crackdown on synthetic drug manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers as federal agents served hundreds of search and arrest warrants in at least 25 states, according to the Associated Press.

The largest single operation was a statewide effort in Alabama. Agents also were active in 28 other states including Washington and California, but not Idaho or Oregon.

The DEA said agents made more than 150 arrests and served about 200 warrants. Federal, state and local authorities seized hundreds of thousands of individual packets of synthetic drugs and hundreds of kilograms of synthetic products used to make the drugs.

Authorities also seized more than $20 million in cash and assets, the DEA said.

The DEA has been cracking down on synthetic drugs, including so-called bath salts, spice and Molly, since the drugs first gained widespread popularity years ago.

Ferdinand Large, staff coordinator for DEA's Special Operations Division, said the agency is now broadly focused on international chemical manufacturers and the distributors, wholesalers and retailers in the United States. U.S. authorities long have worried about criminal and terrorist groups in the Middle East using drug trafficking to fund illicit activities.

Last year, the DEA and Customs and Border Protection wrapped up a 7-month investigation that ended in 150 arrests and the seizure of about a ton of drugs.

The full story can be read at http://apne.ws/1j4zFXt.