Raids in Mo., Kan. target synthetic marijuana

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Law enforcement officers in Missouri and Kansas served 45 search warrants and made 31 arrests in an operation to crack down on synthetic drugs commonly known as K2.

The Kansas City Star reported a dozen local, state and federal law enforcement agencies took part in raids Tuesday in the Kansas City metropolitan area and Topeka, Kan. They seized roughly 24,000 individual packages of the synthetic drugs and more than $100,000 in cash by midafternoon.

Assistant Jackson County Prosecutor Michael Hunt said the raids were just the start of an operation targeting people and businesses that sell the drugs, often marketed as incense and potpourri.

Reports of serious health problems and deaths have prompted several states, including Kansas and Missouri, to outlaw the chemicals used to produce the drugs.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com