Alleged Synthetic Drug Sales at Wesleyan Result in Federal Charges Filed

New details were released in what was thought to be a Molly overdose at Wesleyan University this past February.

U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly hosted a press conference Friday, May 22, and announced federal charges related to the the distribution of synthetic drugs and associated overdoses by several Wesleyan University students.

Eric Lonergan and Zachary Kramer were students at Wesleyan. In 2013 and 2014, respectively, Lonergan and Kramer allegedly began selling drugs.

They have been charged with distributing synthetic drugs that caused Wesleyan students to overdose in the past year, Daly said at the press conference.

Past overdoses were serious in nature. Two of the students were in critical condition and one had to be revived after his heart stopped beating, she said.

Spice or K2

Kramer and Lonergan reportedly told students the drug was Molly, but lab tests of capsules from a November 2013 string of overdoses and the February 2015 incident revealed that the drug contained a different substance.

What the capsules reportedly contained is K2 or Spice, also known as synthetic marijuana, Daly said.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, spice or K2 refers to a wide variety of herbal mixtures that produce experiences similar to marijuana and that are marketed as ‘safe’ and legal alternatives to that drug.

“Sold under many names, including K2, fake weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks, and others — and labeled “not for human consumption” — these products contain dried, shredded plant material and chemical additives that are responsible for their psychoactive (mind-altering) effects,” the NIH said.

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• Breaking News: Federal Charges Filed in Wesleyan Students Molly Overdose Case

A Schedule I Controlled Substance

The price reportedly charged for K2 by Kramer and Lonergan was $20 for one-tenth of a gram and $200 for a full gram.

“Because the chemicals used in Spice have a high potential for abuse and no medical benefit, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has designated the five active chemicals most frequently found in Spice as Schedule I controlled substances, making it illegal to sell, buy, or possess them,” the NIH said.

The indictment alleged that Lonergan began purchasing and distributing Molly to Wesleyan students in November of 2013.

In September 2014, an overdose occurred on campus and Lonergan allegedly distributed the drugs in question. Daly said some students swallowed the capsules while others opened them and snorted the powder.

Within minutes, the students developed reactions, most notably lethargy and a fear of everyone and everything around them.

“A number of students did not recover for three days,” Daly said.

In the indictment, it is alleged that Kramer took over for Lonergan as the primary supplier to Wesleyan students.

After the February 2015 string of overdoses, substances were seized from Kramer and sent to the lab for identification. Daly said the lab confirmed that K2 or Spice was present.

Putting Misconceptions to Bed

Daly said the dangers associated with common street drugs heroin, cocaine, meth are well known, but there remains a misconception that synthetic drugs are harmless party drugs.

“We hope the charges in the indictment put that perception to bed,” she said.

The misconception is false and dangerous, Daly said.

Not Just an Issue at Wesleyan

“I want to emphasize that this is not a problem confined to the campus of Wesleyan University,” Daly said.

For more information on K2, visit the following links.

• K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”)
• Synthetic Marijuana - Spice or K2
• K2 or Spice: Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
• FAQ: K2, Spice Gold, and Herbal ‘Incense’

Photos: Eric Lonergan; Zachary Kramer