Ithaca (WSYR-TV) – Ithaca Police and other agencies descended on a head shop in the city’s Commons area and recovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of designer drugs on Friday.
Police executed a search warrant at 3D Light at 109 East State St. and found 1,744 packages of synthetic drugs of various brand names and manufacture. They estimate the total street value of the drugs at $45,500.
The seized substances are being sent to the New York State Police Laboratory for testing and analysis. Police say they will consult with the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office regarding appropriate criminal charges.
Police said health officials at the Cayuga Medical Center have frequently reported treating people with severe negative effects resulting from the use of bath salts, including behavior characterized as violent, combative, or disoriented.
Police throughout Central New York have noted that such designer drugs present a significant challenge because while the effect may be the same, the composition may be altered in order to remain outside the category of a controlled substance.
“These new and dangerous drugs are a serious problem in our community. They are sending people to our local hospital every day and the City of Ithaca considers them a legitimate threat to the safety and well-being of our citizens. We are taking all necessary enforcement actions to take these and other dangerous drugs off our streets,” said Ithaca Mayor Savante Myrick.
Anyone with information on the incident should call Ithaca Police at (607) 697-0333.
