Nearly 117 Grams Of 'Spice' Confiscated, Two Men Arrested: Police

SARASOTA, FL — Two men were arrested and 116.6 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “spice,” and cash were confiscated after police were tipped off about a suspected drug sale at Selby Five Points Park, Sarasota police said in a news release.

Officers with the Sarasota Police Department’s Community Action Team and Narcotics Unit conducted an undercover operation targeting street-level narcotics Thursday after receiving a tip at the park, police said.

During the undercover operation, Thomas Emery, 43, of Venice and David Barber, 39, of Sarasota were arrested.

When arrested, Emery had $52 in cash and 99.5 grams of spice in 70 individual small clear bags and one gallon-sized clear bag, police said. Barber had $10 and 17.1 grams of spice in 18 individual small clear bags in his possession when arrested. A field test on the substances tested positive for spice.

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Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made mind-altering chemicals that are sprayed on dried plant materials that are smoked or sold as liquids that can be used in e-cigarettes and other devices, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. These drugs can cause extreme anxiety, confusion, paranoia and/or hallucinations and have landed some users in the emergency room with severe side effects.

Both Emery and Harper face felony charges of sale/possession with intent of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a park, police said. Emery faces an additional felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a park.

They were arrested and brought to Sarasota County Jail.