FAIRFIELD — Police on Friday intercepted a 200-packet shipment of bath salts sent to Bargains ‘R’ Us, the business where police reported finding 165 packages of the hallucinogenic drug hidden in a scooter seat last week.

The blue, black and white packets with “AMP!” on the front had a street value of about $15,000, said Fairfield Police Chief John Emery.

During the raid on Sept. 6, Bargains ‘R’ Us owner John Linscott said UPS would deliver 90 packages of bath salts to his business the next day, Emery said.

Police notified UPS of the suspect package, which did not arrive Wednesday.

With police listening Wednesday on a speaker phone, Emery said, Linscott called his contact for the drug order.

The contact indicated that 90 packages of bath salts would be en route in a day or two, and that another order that Linscott had placed, for 110 packets, also would be shipped, Emery said.

Fairfield Detective Sgt. Kingston Paul took the 90-packet and 110-packet shipments from UPS about 9:30 a.m. Friday, he said.

On Sept. 6, Linscott was charged with trafficking in bath salts; he was freed on bail that day. Emery said the 165 packets of bath salts found that day had a street value of about $12,000.

He said further charges against Linscott may be pending, and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration was notified so it can pursue the out-of-state dealer.

Bath salts contain the synthetic chemicals mephedrone or methylenedioxypyrovalerone, which can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rate and suicidal thoughts.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced it is using its emergency authority to temporarily ban three stimulants in bath salts. The ban, which could take effect as early as October, would stop bath salt sales in stores across the country and online.

Morning Sentinel Staff Writer Beth Staples can be contacted at 861-9252 or at: bstaples@centralmaine.com

 

Copy the Story Link