Sheriff's Office Vows To Enforce New Laws Against Synthetic Drugs

The Greenville County Sheriff's Office released a statement Wednesday vowing to aggressively enforce the recently on both bath salts and synthetic marijuana.

Under the law, it is illegal to possess, distribute, deliver, purchase or dispense the three chemical compounds found in specific "bath salts" and the five compounds used in synthetic marijuana, also known as "Spice" or "K2."

"Deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office will now be criminally charging any individuals and businesses who are found to be in violation of this new law. Penalties for possessing these controlled substances range from six months in prison and a $1,000 fine, up to 25 years in prison and $40,000 in fines for certain subsequent offenses," the release states.

"As of Oct. 24, deputies will be making charges under this new law. Greenville County Ordinance 4438 states that those compounds listed in the ordinance that become scheduled will be automatically repealed from the ordinance itself. Deputies still may be able to make civil charges for certain compounds listed in the ordinance that were not scheduled."