SHALIMAR, Fla. -- Fifty-two convenience stores in Okaloosa County, Fla., have now signed on to an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Gold Star Retailer campaign designed to stop the sale of synthetic drugs such as K-2 or Spice and warn residents of the dangers those drugs pose.
Deputies have contacted c-stores across the county asking businesses to sign an agreement to not sell synthetic drugs. Those that agree are then provided a poster to display so that they can notify patrons of that decision.
"The Okaloosa County Sheriff Office seeks your participation along with the Attorney General's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement your local Chamber of Commerce and our agency in the 'Partners for Substance Free Okaloosa' program working to ensure these substances are not available for purchase in our community. Through participation in the program, you will be recognized as a business committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community, and can proudly display a sign on your establishment advertising your participation in the program and denouncing the sale and use of these substances," the agreement says.
"We want to thank all the business owners and managers who are on board with this public safety program. Ridding our store shelves of these dangerous products is an ongoing goal of our agency, and we are grateful for the cooperation of these businesses. In addition, other stores are currently working through their corporate headquarters to join this partnership," said Sheriff Larry Ashley.
Since January 2012, the Okaloosa Multi-Agency Drug Task Force has worked to investigate the sale of these illegal substances. To date, the unit has executed nearly two-dozen search warrants, made six arrests and handled more than 60 undercover buys of illegal synthetic drugs from local businesses, it said. It has also seized more than $625,000 in monies and $2.9 million dollars in inventory.
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