Local News

Sheriff's Dept. Warns of Synthetic Drug Increase

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:03:31 CST

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies are warning Montgomery County citizens -- specifically parents -- about the increase of synthetic drug use in the community.

Synthetic drugs are created using man-made chemicals rather than natural ingredients. Most synthetic drugs are created to mimic illegal drugs but are not controlled substances. This results in most synthetic drugs being just as addictive and dangerous, but legal.

In October, according to Montgomery County Undersheriff Rick Robbins, the Sheriff's Office seized an unknown liquid that allegedly had the street name of "liquid Xanax." The substance was analyzed by the state police laboratory and was identified as Flubromazolam.

The Hillsboro Police Department recently seized Sweet Tart candies and sugar cubes that had been altered with a liquid drug that was being sold. Within two weeks of the seizure, the sheriff's office also seized an unknown liquid mixed with red food coloring that had been applied to sugar cubes. Undersheriff Robbins said that lab results determined that both unknown substances were the illicit drug, Etizolam.

One Montgomery County resident was taken to a local emergency department due to hallucinations and a high temperature after eating an altered Sweet Tart.

According to Montgomery County Coroner Randy Leetham, Flubromazolam was recently found at the scene of an overdose death along with other controlled substances. The cause of the death was a combination of the illicit drugs.

Robbins is encouraging parents to speak to their children about the risks of using any type of drug, whether they are illegal or not, that is not prescribed by a doctor's office or an over-the-counter type of drug. Anyone who has questions or has more information on the drugs may contact their local law enforcement office or the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.