Crest Lake Park Sweep Nets Multiple Arrests

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater Police Department operation meant to target illegal activity in Crest Lake Park ended Sunday with more than a half-dozen people facing charges.

According to the agency, the detail was conducted between 9 a.m. and noon on the heels of several synthetic marijuana-related medical issues at the 201 S. Glenwood Ave. park. Synthetic marijuana, or spice, contains a mix of herbs and chemicals meant to mimic the effects of other drugs, such as marijuana. Often packaged to be attractive to children, many of the ingredients used in spice production are illegal in Florida.

A rash of spice-related overdoses has plagued nearby St. Petersburg in recent days and Clearwater Police say medical issues related to suspected spice use have cropped up in the city, as well.

“We will do our best to eradicate this problem in Crest Lake Park and elsewhere in the city,” said Police Chief Dan Slaughter in a statement. “We are concerned about those who seek to capitalize on the substance abuse issues of the homeless population by selling them materials that contain very dangerous and unknown chemicals.”

Some of the people charged in Sunday’s operation had what is believed to be spice in their possession.

Those charged or facing pending charges following the park detail are:

• James Olson, 24, littering
• Damian Brown, 24, littering
• Andrea Reid, 24, felony warrant (controlled substance) and possession of drug paraphernalia
• Marie Kovanis, 33, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of suspected spice, the latter charges are pending
• Andrea Vivona, 27, possession of alprazolam
• Shaw Michael Ramsey, 39, criminal traffic citation for not having a valid driver’s license
• Corey Lawrence, 30, charges pending, possession of suspected spice 4.8 grams

Image via Shutterstock

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