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Spice raids in Colonial Heights yield contraband and cash

Posted at 9:05 PM, Mar 25, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-25 21:37:36-04

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA. (WTVR)--On Saturday, Colonial Heights Police served two search warrants for the contraband spice.

This happened a week after Fort Lee issued a warning that soldiers could not enter two other Colonial Heights stores because they allegedly sold spice.

Police say they confiscated 1,300 packets of spice from the Tobacco Zone.

"This has been an ongoing investigation for several months, into the sale of the synthetic cannibinoids,” Sgt. Rob Ruxer, Colonial Heights Police said.

A second search warrant was served at the Valero on the Boulevard. Police didn't find spice but say they confiscated $24,000 dollars in cash associated with the sale of spice.

Clerks at both stores declined to comment on camera. Neighbors in the area said it was obvious that something was amiss.

"Most people don't come out with a bag of groceries or snacks or anything of that nature, most people come out with nothing in their hand,” Paul Hamilton, who works across from the Tobacco Zone said. “We've had people who've expressed concerns about their safety.”

Some neighbors say they hope the raid will send a message.

"I think if they can remove this from the neighborhood, we'll see a reversion to what use to be here, as a community business center,” Ian Wright said, who works down from Tobacco Zone.

The search warrants came about two weeks after Governor Bob McDonnell signed a new law which re-defined what was illegal in the chemical composition of spice.

While no arrests have been made police say charges are pending.