Cops: Two Will Co. tobacco shops caught selling synthetic pot
By Brian Stanley bstanley@stmedianetwork.com January 24, 2013 6:48PM
Will County Cooperative Police Assistance Team members on Thursday seized 20 packages of synthetic marijuana from IHS Cigar and Tobacco in Plainfield. The drugs allegedly were hidden behind a display rack of candy. | Supplied photo
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Updated: February 26, 2013 6:44AM
WILL COUNTY — Two tobacco shops were busted for allegedly selling synthetic marijuana Thursday in Joliet and Plainfield.
Cooperative Police Assistance Team Director Mike Weber said the arrests were not related, but both resulted from information about stores illegally selling synthetic drugs.
Despite containing toxic chemicals, synthetic pot, also called “K-2,” was legally sold at many tobacco shops until January 2012. Black market prices range from $20 to $50 per packet, Weber said.
The first arrest occurred around 10:30 a.m. after two undercover buys were made at Tobacco Loco, 421 Collins St. in Joliet, Weber said.
An employee, Mohammed Shaqeldi, 25, allegedly took the cover off a stereo speaker inside the store to show agents the drugs could be purchased. He was booked into the county jail on two counts of delivery of drugs.
Around 4 p.m. CPAT officers used a search warrant to enter IHS Cigar and Tobacco, 16200 S. Lincoln Highway in Plainfield.
“For some time there have been ongoing complaints made to local police and the warrant resulted from four drug buys there,” Weber said. “They were keeping about 20 packages with Scooby Doo on them hidden on the other side of a display rack of candy.”
Ismat Allen, 52, also was arrested on drug delivery charges, Weber said.
