Local Smoke Shop Busted for Large Narcotics Manufacturing and Distribution Operation
By Officer Tasia Martinez
Three people are behind bars today after the APD Eastside Narcotics Unit served a search warrant at The Palace Smoke Shop, 13400 Wenonah Avenue SE. The suspects are facing 10 felony charges including trafficking of a controlled substance and may see more charges to come following the completion of this ongoing investigation.
The search warrant was completed yesterday. Detectives say they found an abundance of illegal drugs including over 100 prescription pills, 6 grams of heroin, marijuana, over 550 grams of synthetic cannibinoid and over 400 spice packages all containing illegal spice according to the shop owner.
In addition the narcotics detectives also found what appeared to be a large manufacturing and distribution operation. Drug packaging materials, scales with heroin residue and manufacturing equipment were found. Detectives also recovered a large quantity of the imported raw chemical used to manufacture illegal spice, estimated at approximately $250,000 in street value.
The APD Narcotics Unit began investigating the business and owners after receiving information from within the community regarding the illegal sale of narcotics from within the business. APD Narcotics Detectives conducted investigation, including a controlled narcotics transaction with undercover officers inside of the smoke shop.
A firearm and ammunition were also found during the search warrant. The investigation into The Palace Smoke Shop and the three individuals is ongoing.
