A Newark-area man is being held on $360,000 bond on charges of selling synthetic marijuana at a tobacco store.
The New Castle County Police this week arrested Nipesh Patel, 40, 100 block of Trout Stream Drive.
Last month, officers from the New Castle County Mobile Enforcement Team-North launched an investigation into the sale of synthetic marijuana from the Deep World Tobacco Store in the 300 block of W. Ridge Road, Claymont
On Tuesday, officers from the unit joined with agents from the Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement and served a search warrant at the tobacco store . Officers seized 450 bags (1,854 grams) of synthetic marijuana, 3,770 gel caps and $4,882 in suspected drug proceeds.
Patel was taken into custody on Wednesday without incident. He has been charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and (three counts) of possession of a controlled substance in a Tier V quantity.
He was arraigned and taken to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of posting $360,000 secured bond.
Synthetic marijuana, which sometimes goes by the name of “spice” is suspected of being more dangerous than grown varieties, due to chemical additives that can cause psychotic effects.
