Two Marines arrested under new North Carolina synthetic drug law
Last Wednesday, a new law took effect in North Carolina banning the sales, manufacture or possession of synthetic forms of marijuana or cocaine, also known as spice and bath salts. That same day two Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune were arrested after a car wreck in Jacksonville. An 18-year-old marine who reportedly was driving a 2009 Ford Fusion involved in the wreck now faces North Carolina charges, including driving while impaired.
Jacksonville Police say the 18-year-old crashed the Ford into a truck sales building in Jacksonville around 4:25 p.m. After crashing into the building, law enforcement says the driver backed away from the crash and re-entered traffic. The Ford reportedly travelled to N.C. 24, where the driver is accused of entering traffic in the wrong direction.
The Ford reportedly struck several vehicles on the highway before crossing the median, three traffic lanes and the bicycle path. Police say the Ford then slammed into the Camp Lejeune fence. No injuries are reported from the alleged incident.
Jacksonville Police claim the driver and a 21-year-old passenger admitted to police after the incident that they had been smoking spice. Police arrested both men after the alleged incident.
The 18-year-old driver has been charged with DWI and careless driving. The 21-year-old passenger, who is also a Marine, was charged with possession of a controlled synthetic cannabanoid known as spice.
The driver was held in the Onslow County Jail. The passenger was cited for the alleged drug offense and released into the custody of Camp Lejeune authorities.
The alleged incident and the charges all occurred on the first day that the new law banning certain synthetic drugs, such as spice, went into effect in North Carolina.
Source: WNCT, “Accident leads to Spice arrest,” 3 Jun 2011
Tags: Arrested, Carolina, Drug, Marines, North, synthetic, Under