A spice epidemic?

East Brewton continues its crackdown on drugs with the arrest of three people following traffic stops with two involving 'spice' which East Brewton Police Chief Kenny Brazille said is becoming an epidemic.

"Spice is a major issue," Brazille said. "It's the drug of choice. The problem is people ingesting spice don't know what they are putting into their bodies."

Although spice, or synthetic marijuana, has been banned for sale in stores, Brazille said it's still showing up on the streets.

"People think it's safe," Brazille. "It's far from safe because people smoking it don't know what they are smoking."

He said spice can contain chemicals like roach poison and drain cleaner and can lead to death.

"Why anybody would ingest anything into their body that they don't know what they are ingesting just blows my mind," Brazille added. "But we are seeing more and more of it. I guess if they want drugs, they will find it."

Leon Dewayne Wallace, 23, 223 Brook Lane, Selma, Ala., was arrested Feb. 7 for possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a controlled substance (spice). Darius Williams, 19, 210 Ball Lane, Lot 31, East Brewton, was arrested Feb. 5 and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (spice).

Edward Devaughn Culliver, 39, 5071 Brooklyn Road, Brewton, was arrested in East Brewton on Feb. 6 on charges of unlawful possession of marijuana II and cited for having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.

Wallace

East Brewton Police Officer Brandon Mealer pulled over Wallace on Feb. 7 for having a headlight out and no tag on his vehicle.

Mealer reported as the approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Wallace was acting extremely nervous. The officer noted the K-9 dog alerted on the vehicle and a subsequent search produced a spice cigarette in the door and numerous half-smoked spice cigarettes in a compartment by the steering wheel.

Wallace was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center and jailed on $5,000 bond.

Williams

East Brewton Police Capt. Derrick Hodges initiated a traffic stop on Forrest Avenue on Feb. 5 and reported as he approached the vehicle the driver, later identified as Williams, became aggressive toward the officer.

Due to those actions, Hodges asked Willams if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. Reports note Williams said 'no' and refused a consent to search the vehicle. Hodges then contacted Sgt. Paige Howell and requested K-9 assistance. The K-9 'Bruiser' alerted on the vehicle and a search revealed a bag of spice in a cigarillo pack behind the driver's seat.

Williams was placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center and jailed on $5,000 bond.

Culliver

Capt. Hodges pulled over a vehicle Feb. 6 on Ridge Road for running a stop sign and reported when he approached the vehicle he noticed a strong odor of marijuana.

Hodges then ordered the driver, later identified as Culliver, to exit the vehicle after noticing something in the suspect's hand. The officer took the item from Culliver's hand and determined it was a rolled marijuana cigarette.

The officer also discovered an open container of beer inside the vehicle. Culliver was placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center and jailed on $1,000 bond.