Hartford County Drug Bust Nets Millions of Dollars Worth of Spice

A “spice” bust in Harford County lead to the seizure of millions of dollars’ worth on synthetic drugs.
Spice is a legal substance sold as incense but when the product is smoked it can produce a dangerous high.

Arete Rudolph, wife and mother of Rudolph’s two children says spice led to the demise of her relationship.
“It literally drove him crazy,” she told FOX45, “I seen noticeable changes in his demeanor, in his psychological state of mind and when he doesn’t have it, he even went through withdrawal symptoms. He’s been nauseous, sick and agitated, highly agitated.” The 27-year-old man is also facing misdemeanor weapons and drug charges.

The synthetic marijuana is sold as incense, and can be found at gas stations and convenience stores. But when the synthetic marijuana is smoked, the results can be dangerous. Cristie Kahler, of the Harford County Sheriff’s Department, explained the substance can be burned hotter and stronger – causing lung and brain damage and erratic behavior. Two weeks ago, in the 1600 block of Morse Road in Harford County’s Forest Hill Community, Sheriff’s Detectives dismantled what they believe was an enterprise to make spice. “They had everything from vegetation to the chemicals to the packaging to the ability to seal it and really take the whole processes from start to finish,” Kahler told FOX45. Harford County Sheriff’s detectives say an estimated 2 million dollars’ worth of spice was seized.

A box truck was needed to remove all the products and ingredients from the property. There will be no charges filed against the “spice dealers” yet, because everything found was sent to the federal DEA to determine if what was being made was a legal or illegal substance. Kahler explained, “There are certain chemicals that once added to the product are deemed illegal. But the producers and distributors are very smart and they know they can change one molecule, like changing a family recipe, and all of a sudden have a new product that is legal to produce and sell.”

The latest haul has now been sent to the DEA to see if illegal chemicals were used. That DEA testing is expected to take about two weeks.