It was announced by U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler of the Justice Department on Thursday that two Soldotna men were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for trafficking synthetic cannabinoids commonly referred to as “Spice,” as well as firearms offenses.

Business-owner of Tobacco Distress, Inc 33-year-old Philip Drake Kneeland and William Donald Vincent Dooley, both of Soldotna were named in the indictment.

The indictment stated that “in 2015, law enforcement authorities searched the premises of Tobacco
Distress, located at Mile 91.5 of the Sterling Highway, Soldotna, and Kneeland’s  Soldotna residence, seizing spice containing illegal “cannabimimetic agents,” including synthetic cannabinoids such as JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-250 and others packaged as “Judgment Day,” “Armageddon,” “Big Bang,” “California Dreams” and other spice “brands” with flavor labels such as “Mango,” “Grape,” and “Cotton Candy.””

Last year, the Kenai Police Department, the Alaska State Troopers, the  Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating the two men for trafficking in “Spice,” which is generally a plant material laced with psychotropic drugs and marketed in flashy foil packaging. While the packages claim that it is a “herbal incense,” or “potpourri,” the mixture is smoked by users to gain a “high.”

“Spice” is much more dangerous than its natural cannabis counterpart and causes agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, hypertension, seizures, and hallucinations. The synthetic drug has caused a rather large upswing in emergency visits nation-wide.[xyz-ihs snippet=”adsense-body-ad”]

Kneeland was named in five counts that included three for “spice” trafficking and the others for weapons charges. If convicted on the drug charges, Kneeland can receive up to 20 years in prison. If convicted on the weapons charges, he can receive an additional 30 years.

Dooley was named in three counts. If convicted on the drug charges, could receive the same 20 years in prison. The firearm charge can net Dooley an additional five years if convicted.

The indictment is also seeking forfeiture of real property, more than $75,000 in cash, several firearms and a 2014 GMC Sierra pickup.

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