DENVER (Legal Newsline) – Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman has announced that a civil settlement has been reached with a Colorado tobacco store owner after allegations of selling dangerous spice products.
The Department of Revenue recovered 1,319 packages of spice products after an undercover raid in 2013 at O’s Pipes & Tobacco. A selection of the removed spice packages tested positive for ADB-PINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid. The cannabinoid was allegedly the cause of 221 cases in the 2013 spice outbreak.
“Our efforts are impacting the open sale of spice products in our state,” said Coffman. “But we will continue to be vigilant and ensure that store owners know they will face stiff penalties and the closure of their stores if they choose to sell dangerous spice products.”
The owner of the store, Orlando Martinez, is responsible under the settlement for a civil penalty of $160,000 to be paid over three years.
Colorado had four spice-related suits and, with the resolution of this complaint, all have been resolved.