JACKSON, Miss.- Two people have been arrested in connection to selling spice, the drug that has put over 80 people in the hospital across the state in the past week, and that number continues to grow.
Latoya Emmons, 32, and Lester Singleton, 31, were arrested at their Jackson apartment, both charged with possession with the intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoid, said Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics director Sam Owens.
Owens said it looked they had a lab in their apartment to put the drugs together to be sold.
Police seized materials that could make up to $8 million worth of spice. Organic plants, acetone and thousands of small aluminum packets used to bag and sell Spice were found in their apartment.
Owens said the investigation began after a rash of Spice overdoses. More than 20 Mississippi counties have reported emergency room admissions from the synthetic drug that is designed to mimic the effects of marijuana, according to state health officials.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center has treated 45 patients since last week. Another 40 overdoses were reported at other hospitals around the state.
MBN said the state crime lab is running tests to determine if the Spice seized Thursday is related to the overdose cases.
