Message From The Sheriff
MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF
NICK WELDEN  ( read )
Phone:
EMERGENCY: 911
24 Hours:
256-845-3801
Crime Tip:
256-845-3801
Address:
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Administrative Office:
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm


05/12/2016

Seizing Kratom

MEDIA RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release                                                  May 12, 2016

     Seizing Kratom

 

Sheriff Jimmy Harris states as follows:

 

            On the wake of Tuesday morning Senate Bill 226 outlawing Kratom was signed by Governor Robert Bentley. Kratom is commonly sold in a bottle similar in size and shape to 5-Hour Energy supplements in convenience stores. The products also come in pill or powder form.

Over a year ago we became aware of this being sold in convenience store in DeKalb County. Drug Task Force agents purchased some Kratom from a convenience store and sent it to the forensics lab for testing. At the time of the testing the ingredients it contained were not a controlled substance and we could not make any arrest. By that time Sheriff’s and the District Attorney’s all over the state began the process of getting a bill passed to outlaw this as a drug.

            Drug Task Force agents began Wednesday afternoon going around to convenience stores giving them notice about taking the drug off their shelves. Drug Task Force agents will being seizing this drug and making arrest today.

Some store owners are calling in wanting Law Enforcement to come take possession of this drug because their distributors are not wanting to pick them up. These store owners are losing large amounts of money due to this, but at least they are turning it in and getting it off the shelves so kids cannot get a hold of it.

            Sheriff Harris says “We strongly urge store owners to call the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, or your local Police Department to come get this drug if your distributors will not come pick it up. Appropriate action will be taken if any store is caught selling Kratom as of today.”

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