$250K In Synthetic Marijuana Found In Basement Of Long Island Foot Spa: Police

A husband and wife from Albertson were arrested Wednesday afternoon after the smell of gas coming from a foot spa led police to a huge stash of synthetic marijuana.

According to detectives, police officers and the Williston Park Fire Department responded to Simply Foot Spa, located at 120 Hillside Ave. in Williston Park, at 2:10 p.m. for a smell of gas. A short time later, Sunita Shah, 57, and Rajesh Shah, 62, arrived and opened the door.

When officers entered, they say they saw several cans of chemicals and drug paraphernalia, police said. The building was evacuated and aired out so the investigation could continue. The Nassau County Fire Marshal later deemed the scene safe and police entered.

Third Precinct officers, the Narcotics Vice Squad, Emergency Services Unit and Crime Scene Unit all began searching the business. Police say they found more than 20 pounds of loose synthetic marijuana and 5,300 bags of the same substance. The estimated street value of the drugs is $250,000. Both Sunita and Rajesh Shah were placed under arrest without incident.

Both are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree reckless endangerment and illegal use of nitrous oxide. Their attorney told Newsday that while the couple does own and lease out the building, they have no connection to the drugs that were found.

The Shahs were released on their own recognizance after being arraigned Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Synthetic marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, refer to a growing number of man-made mind-altering chemicals that are either sprayed on dried, shredded plant material so they can be smoked (herbal incense) or sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes and other devices (liquid incense), according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Learn more here.

Photos: Nassau County Police Department