Additional felony drug charges were filed against owners of Pipedreams on Main Street, Wilkesboro, after products seized from the business in 2012 were found to contain synthetic cannabinoids (marijuana) when tested at a State Bureau of Investigation lab.
Christopher Keith Staggs, 40, and Bonnie Eileen Staggs, 38, were both charged with trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids and maintaining a dwelling to sell a controlled substance, reported Wilkesboro Police Lt. Jason Delbert. Police also charged Mrs. Staggs with possession with intent to sell and deliver synthetic cannabinoids and sale and delivery of synthetic cannabinoids.
Mr.and Mrs. Staggs live at 283 Congo Road, Wilkesboro, and were arrested Monday. Both were released from custody the same day under unsecured bonds of $15,000 each.
Wilkesboro police seized 664 small bags of products marketed as potpourri from Pipedreams, in the basement of the Smithey Hotel building, on July 12, 2012. SBI lab tests identified portions of these products as synthetic cannabinoids.
Delbert said potpourri seized during the search, in plastic bags with from 1 to 4 grams of product each, had a wholesale value of $5,000 to $7,000. Labeled identified them as Crazy Monkey, 69, Whats Up, Mad Monkey, Sexy Monkey, Mind Spin, Q Burnt, Zombie Killa, Zombie Hoe, Evil Clown and SPIZ.
At the time of the seizure, Delbert said, Staggs cooperated with police and had copies of lab reports saying the potpourri was legal. "We have been in business almost 12 years and we've never been in any kind of trouble and we've never tried to do anything illegal. We are completely transparent," said Staggs
In May 2014, Wilkesboro police went to Pipedreams with a search warrant and seized 151 packages of suspected synthetic cannabinoids, about 1.5 grams of marijuana, five hydrocodone pills, $356 in cash, numerous smoking pipes and paraphernalia were also seized.
Mr. and Mrs. Staggs were arrested then on one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule VI controlled substances, maintaining a place to sell controlled substances, manufacture or delivery of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a counterfeit trademark. They're awaiting trial on these charges.
Delbert said Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro narcotics officers began investigating the sale of illegal synthetic marijuana after North Wilkesboro police learned about an overdose from a product called "Dank" in the fall of 2011, and after Wilkesboro police learned about two juveniles using a product called "Crazy Monkey" in the winter of 2012. He said investigators believe these were synthetic marijuana products bought at Pipedreams.
Delbert said police had received complains from parents and others in Wilkes about the use of certain synthetic products, he added.
Under a state law that took effect June 1, 2011, North Carolina joined other states in banning certain synthetic drugs sold as bath salts and incense. They include synthetic cannabinoids, described as synthetic marijuana and cocaine.
The law makes the sale, manufacture or possession of these products a felony.
Law enforcement officials say it can be difficult to identify these "designer drugs" because as bans on specific compounds go into effect, manufacturers can substitute closely related substances so there is a constantly moving target.
