Woman Running Synthetic Pot Store Feels Like Government Raid Robbed Her

A week after South Carolina authorities said they would crack down on sales of synthetic pot, federal agents raided a shop owned by a woman in North Charleston.

Joan Graf, the store’s owner, is unhappy about the raid, saying she feels robbed by the government.

Graf runs the Exchange Factor, which was raided by federal agents on Tuesday, May 21st, who were carrying out a search warrant related to sales of synthetic pot.

Synthetic pot belongs to a classification of drugs called canniboids, which have similar psychological effects as the active drugs in cannabis. Synthetic marijuana is often sprayed onto FDA-approved plant material, creating something a user could smoke or burn like incense, or consumed in another fashion. A recent study from the DEA declared that synthetic marijuana, also referred to as “fake pot,” “herbal incense,” or “potpourri,” constituted an imminent public safety hazard.

According to Graf, agents grilled her employees, demanded to know where she kept the store’s money, kicked in the door of her apartment, which was next to the store, and rummaged through her personal belongings, including her underwear drawer. They seized packets of what Graf referred to as “botanicals,” as well as computer equipment, $6,000 in money orders, and an undetermined but large amount of cash.

She says botanicals “are not meant to be used and abused.”

“I followed them around while they robbed me, basically,” Graf said. “That’s how it feels anyway.”

Graf is the first of three stores in the Tri-County area accused of selling synthetic pot and subject to federal investigation. Three men have been indicted on charges of selling synthetic pot, which the DEA recently made illegal on a “temporary” basis – they enacted a statute lasting 2 years – while they investigate the effects of the drug.

Until now, synthetic pot has not faced any kind of regulations, allowing anyone, including children under the age of 18, to purchase incense or ingestibles laced with fake THC. Synthetic pot has become the second-most popular drug among teenagers, landing more than 11,000 in the emergency room in 2010 alone.

Graf said that she pays close attention to legal changes, especially regarding drugs like synthetic pot, and makes changes in her inventory accordingly. “We’re very hard-core about that,” she said.

“It’s hit or miss,” Thomas Nuse, assistant special agent in charge of operations with the DEA in South Carolina, said about the investigations. “You never truly know what you’re getting.”

In the meantime, federal agents took Graf’s supply of synthetic pot, and she turned away a second shipment that would have been due on Thursday.

More Charleston-Area Shopowners Receive Drug Charges for Synthetic Pot

Three other men who own stores in the area have been indicted on federal drug charges for selling synthetic pot.

According to reports, federal court documents were filed on May 14th against Vedit Patel, owner of Tobacco Co on Rivers Ave; Khalid Ibrahim, and Faras Abuamsheh, owners of Kelly’s Quick Stop on Rivers Avenue, as well as a second location at Bacons Ridge Road.

The three men have all been arrested and charged with selling synthetic pot, using a particular drug that was made illegal last July. Patel has been scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 28th, while Ibrahim and Abuamsheh have not yet been scheduled for hearings related to their synthetic pot charges.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help Defend Against Drug Charges Involving Synthetic Marijuana

If you or a loved one have been found with synthetic marijuana, or other synthetic drugs, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much of the drug was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for synthetic marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800