Iowa City business suspected of selling synthetic drugs

Johnson County authorities have seized synthetic drug substances suspected to be bath salts from an Iowa City business during a joint investigation based on multiple reports to police.

The Johnson County Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force, along with the Iowa City Police Department's Street Crimes Action Team, executed a search warrant Thursday at a business operating as the In-Zone at 116 E. Washington St., according to a news release.

Authorities began investigating illegal drug activity there after receiving reports of the sale of synthetic drugs commonly known as bath salts, according to police. During the search, several substances suspected to be bath salts were seized, and the items are being tested at the state criminal investigation laboratory. Charges are pending further investigation.

The term “bath salts” is slang for non-pharmaceutical synthetic cathinones, which are classified as a schedule I controlled substance and are illegal to have, distribute or make.

The In-Zone describes itself on its Facebook page as “All things Hawkeye and the best place downtown for cheap soda and munchies! Best selection of quality tobacco accessories and hand-blown in Iowa glass!”

In the business' most recent Facebook post on July 12, the administrator advertised its “30 new Hookas,” which are pipes that can be used to smoke. An employee who answered the phone at the business Tuesday afternoon said he could not comment about the police investigation, and a manager was not available.

Local authorities say such substances are not meant for human consumption and have side effects including increased blood pressure, instances of paranoia, thoughts of suicide and violent behavior. They also have been known to cause hallucinations and delusions.

Synthetic drugs have become more popular in the past year, and Iowa's law enforcement agencies have been working to update their testing equipment to identify synthetic drugs. Enforcement officials have told The Gazette that about 400 samples of suspected synthetic drugs have been submitted to the state's crime laboratory.

The multiagency task force includes officers from the Iowa City, Coralville and University of Iowa police departments, the State's Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.