FARGO -- Since May 1, Fargo police have tallied a dozen cases of people possessing herbal incense blends believed to be spiked with JWH-018, a drug that mimics the active ingredient in marijuana and was banned by the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy in February.
"It's fairly broad-based," Lt. Pat Claus said of the cases.
Six cases were reported at Centre Inc., a halfway house and treatment center. Two were juvenile referrals from Fargo North High School, Claus said.
In a June 20 incident, a Fargo man, 21, allegedly swam in the Island Park pool at 4 a.m. and ran from officers when confronted. He allegedly was in possession of a white vial, which he said contained raw JWH-018 he had purchased online, as well as a package of Berry Blend incense, Claus said.
Police arrested the man on a resisting charge and sent a long-form complaint to the Cass County State's Attorneys office for consideration of drug charges.
ADVERTISEMENT
Several cases have been charged as Class C felonies for controlled substance possession, said Assistant State's Attorney Gary Euren. Others are pending as police await results from lab tests on the substances.
