According to Brownwood Police Narcotics Investigator Aaron Taylor, Brownwood Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Thursday afternoon that was a culmination of a seven month narcotics investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the community.
“During this 7 month investigation, several controlled drug purchases (from Wonderland Tobacco) were made that had positive lab results,” said Taylor.
Approximately 3:15 p.m. Thursday, officers arrived at Wonderland Tobacco (507 N Center in Brownwood) and executed the warrant, taking about 5 hours to complete the seizure and arrest of its owner, 25-year-old Prajjwol Acharya who has lived in Brownwood for several years, but is originally from Nepal. Acharya was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance penalty group 2 or 2A greater than or equal to 4 grams less than 400 grams for the synthetic cannabanoids and manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance penalty group 2 or 2A greater than or equal to 1 gram less than 4 grams for the bath salts that were seized, according to police.
Taylor stated that many items were seized including 190 packages of synthetic cannabanoids worth $6810, vials of liquid chemical that is suspected to contain phenazepam (known as “zanniefresh”) valued at $760, a variety of glassware including smoking pipes and bongs which were conservatively valued at approximately $20,000-30,000, and $5400 in cash. This evidence was being held at the Brown County Law Enforcement building training room and shown in photographs below.
Taylor stated that the chemicals and drugs seized, cannabanoids and “bath salts” or methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV, mephedrone) were seized during the search warrant execution. The cannabanoids are currently illegal in many cities and states due to the chemical’s dangerous effects, mimicking that of marijuana and worse, sometimes causing seizures and even death in its users. The MDPV products are banned in some states; however, not yet in Texas, but have powerful effects mimicking that of xanax, valium, and restoril, according to Taylor.
“These synthetic drugs, especially the cannabanoids, are everywhere and I’ve talked to patrol officers who state they run into them daily. I think they are underestimated,” said Taylor. “They are more dangerous because they are in a nice neat package and people find it less intimidating than buying the drugs in a Ziploc baggie from a scary drug dealer on a corner.”
Taylor pointed out the packaging of these synthetic drugs, bright in color, containing “cool slang,” and using cartoon characters or pop culture icons such as Bob Marley, are “unabashedly marketed to young people, the overall aura of it” shows that intention.
Taylor stated that although the business’ financial records have not been analyzed, he estimates several thousands of dollars in sales each day through the business of narcotics and drug related items. The drug paraphernalia was sold in the storefront; however the cannabanoids and other chemicals were offered behind the counter, Taylor said. The paraphernalia was confiscated because it was determined to be sold for the purpose of illegal narcotics use, according to police.
“I have never seen anything other than meth or bath soaps smoked in these types of pipes,” said Taylor who was holding a small glass test tube-looking pipe. “I have never seen tobacco smoked out of bongs.”
According to Taylor, 186 packages of synthetic cannabanoids were seized from the business in July and Acharya was also arrested recently on a warrant from the State Comptroller’s Office.
Taylor stated that it is important to educate the public about drugs, their dangers and effects they have on users.
“For some reason, it is pervasive, it’s very serious; the more people know, the better,” said Taylor, who encourages anyone who has information about narcotics use or activity in the area to contact him at the Brownwood Police Department by calling 325-646-2525.
Below is a video with more information from Taylor and more photos of the evidence collected.
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Packages of synthetic cannabanoids.
Image of cartoon characters used in marketing to youth.
Back of packaging is misleading, according to Taylor, which state that the contents do not contain stimulants.
Items which may look like everyday accessories pictured above are actually smoking pipes.
Some of the most worrisome pipes, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, according to Taylor.
Cash seized
Brownwood Police Narcotics Investigators Trey Weathermon, Brian Tompkins and Aaron Taylor pictured with evidence seized.
