New Port Richey police officers found a woman who had a number of bags of what some in the media are calling spice. The woman was arrested as a result. Spice is a drug that has created quite a controversy as a result of the fact that it is not universally unlawful. This means that it is very easy to get in some areas, though the New Port Richey police department takes enforcement of it very seriously.
Back on October 2, officers stopped a motor vehicle. The stop occurred at around 11:21 AM. The police stopped the vehicle initially for a regular traffic infraction. Had the suspect behaved normally and not appeared to be having any other trouble, the traffic stop would have been relatively normal. There would not have been any other problems associated with it.
When police officers searched the car, however, they found 26 individual bags of a substance commonly referred to as spice. They also found a number of pills, though police had declined to comment on what types of pills these were. It can be assumed, perhaps, that the aforementioned driver did not legally possess them.
Kristina Mattos, the driver, is 26 years old. She lives in New Port Richey, and was placed under arrest for multiple counts of possessing a controlled substance. Mattos was additionally issued a county ordinance citation. The citation was assessed at $500 a bag. This came out to $13,000 total. A photograph was released of Mattos, which showed her as having prominently colored hair. At least one individual applauded the work police did on this case.
Spice is a type of drug that is manufactured by spraying natural herbs with synthetic chemicals. When these compounds are consumed they mimic the effects of cannabis to some degree. The drug is also known as K2, and has been dealt in a number of clubs and other areas across the country. As it is not illegal everywhere, some dealers have attempted to promote this as a form of a so-called legal high.