The Underground is closed today after police crack down on illegal drug activity. (Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

StaceyPageOnline.com has learned today that Warsaw Police are likely behind today’s closing of The Underground, a tobacco accessories store at 3865 Lake City Hwy, Warsaw.

According to Warsaw Police, after receiving numerous complaints of illegal and synthetic drug activity stemming from the business, police officers and the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, initiated a focused patrol effort for several hours on Thursday afternoon.

Warsaw Police Narcotics Investigation Taskforce fanned out on the east side of Warsaw, which resulted in 14 criminal arrests including possession of a synthetic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash, driving while suspended, and battery resulting in bodily injury.

A sign on the door at The Underground today says the business is closed, but for how long is yet to be seen. (Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

At this time, police say all of the charges are misdemeanor criminal offenses and some charges are pending issuance of arrest warrants.

In all, seven people were arrested and one was served with a criminal warrant. Nine traffic citations and nine warning citations were also issued and five vehicles were impounded.

Warsaw officers watching The Underground witnessed two motor vehicle crashes and observed one of the vehicles leave the scene. The driver was apprehended. Police K9s alerted on four vehicles and one gun was found.

Synthetic drugs are often marked and marketed as “K2,” “Spice,” “Incense,” “Potpourri,” “Herbal Sachets,” “Plant Food” and “Bath Salts.” These products are sold in small packets or containers for $20 to $50 by retailers. The products are typically marked “not for human consumption” and they have no legitimate purpose. But, police say they are often ingested by users, particularly by the youth.

It is well documented that users of these substances experience paranoia and hallucinations, and frequently exhibit aggressive, unpredictable and often violent behavior. These synthetic drugs can cause dangerously high body temperatures, racing heart rates, high blood pressure, permanent organ damage, and the psychotic effect of these substances often last for several days.

Synthetic drugs also contain dangerous chemicals that are harmful to humans and are banned and illegal in Indiana. Even chemical compositions that reasonably appear to be a controlled substance are illegal under the Indiana Controlled Substances Act.

The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office will aggressively pursue civil remedies against any person or business involved in the sale of these dangerous substances.

Additionally, the Warsaw Police Department and Kosciusko County law enforcement are committed to pursue the appropriate criminal remedies and penalties for those that manufacture, deliver, finance the manufacture or delivery of, or possess synthetic drugs. Kosciusko county law enforcement is taking an active and aggressive stand against these dangerous drugs in our community.