ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a court order Tuesday against a St. Clairsville-based business that allegedly sold synthetic drugs that requires the business to temporarily close.
In March, DeWine's office filed a nuisance abatement action against Bob's Cheap Smokes after allegedly uncovering the sale of synthetic drugs at that location. Bob's Cheap Smokes allegedly sold products labeled as potpourri which contained synthetic drugs that mimic the psychoactive and physiological effects of marijuana.
A judge declared Bob's Cheap Smokes a public nuisance and ordered that the business cease operations until October.
"We definitely view this ruling as a victory in the fight against synthetic drugs," DeWine said. "Business owners need to know that if they are found selling these dangerous products, it will hurt their bottom line."
A civil lawsuit against Bob's Cheap Smokes remains pending.
DeWine also filed a civil lawsuit on Tuesday against the owners of the Belmont County-based Fred's Party Centers Inc., for allegedly selling synthetic drugs. The lawsuit alleges the defendants engaged in deceptive, unconscionable and unfair acts by selling illegal drugs as legal products. DeWine also filed a nuisance abatement action against the business, requesting that the store close for one year.
In 2013, DeWine's office filed 13 civil lawsuits, including eight nuisance abatement actions, against individuals and businesses in Ohio that allegedly sold synthetic drugs.
Ohio AG gets court order against alleged synthetic drug seller
