Large Spice Drug Bust In Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)– The Wilmington Police Department recently made its biggest “spice” bust in its history. Investigators say they found over 1,400 packages of the substance at the Northern Lights Smoke Shop off Market Street.

“I was very surprised, I didn’t even know it was that serious of a thing,” said Chris Brown, a Northern Lights Smoke Shop customer. “I didn’t know it was illegal like that. I had no idea that they could get in trouble for it.”

Their open light may not be on but the Northern Lights Smoke Shop was still serving customers on Sunday.

Thursday the store was busted for the synthetic substance known as “spice”.

Store workers did not want to talk about the incident but some shoppers didn’t mind sharing their thoughts on the drug.

“I smoked it a while back and it was kind of a weird feeling,” said Brown. “It lasted about an hour and it was totally different than anything I’ve ever smoked before and I didn’t really like it too much.”

Wilmington Police say the now illegal substance is a problem in the community.

It’s supposed to be similar to scented potpourri, but when you smoke it “spice” mimics the effects of marijuana.

In the recent bust investigators seized $30,000 worth of the substance and about $2,000 in currency.

Despite the bust at the Northern Lights Smoke Shop the shop has not been shut down and there have been no arrests at this time.

The Wilmington Police Narcotics Enforcement Unit and NCIS are continuing to investigate.

A few people who work at the shop did not want to talk to WWAY on camera but did say the store plans to continue its business as normal.