D.C. police carried out the largest synthetic drug bust in history on Tuesday, seizing at least $2.3 million worth of synthetic marijuana from a warehouse in north west Washington, according to The Washington Post. Police arrested Siraj Issa, 33, and Yenework Abera, 41, both of whom are being charged with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids.
The bust was made through an undercover buy - undercover police officers shipped the product in from the west coast before meeting the buyers in Maryland and arresting them, according to The Daily Caller.
Synthetic cannabinoids, also referred to as K2, AK-47 and Scooby Snax, have been on the rise and their dangers have lead to incidents all around the country, as reported by HNGN. In June, D.C. paramedics reported that 439 ambulance trips were the result of synthetic drug use, eight times the amount from June of last year.
Despite being called synthetic marijuana, these drugs typically contain a variety of mind-altering substances, some illegal and some currently unregulated. Due to the fast pace that manufacturers change their chemical compositions, law enforcement has a tough time keeping on top of regulating them.
The suspects are currently detained and will be attending a hearing on Sept. 8. Issa plans to plead guilty, while no word has been heard from Abera's lawyer as of yet, according to Fox News.
