Stores busted in synthetic pot raids could shut down

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned a Douglasville city attorney will recommend revoking the business license of two stores authorities raided for illegal synthetic drugs in August.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said undercover drug agents purchased synthetic marijuana at the two stores. Lab tests by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found the product illegal, investigators said. Drug agents raided the Elite Adult store and the Hell Yeah Smoke Shop. Several people were arrested.

Investigators charged Elite Adult store owner Richard Awtry with selling synthetic marijuana and processing and packaging the drugs at his suburban home. When ask by a Channel 2 News producer if he had done anything wrong, Awtry said, "Absolutely not."

"He had a little manufacturing plant there. Very small, but sophisticated. He was taking in the raw material, mixing it, packaging it and then selling it," said Douglas County Sheriff Major Tommy Wheeler.

The assistant city solicitor will hold a license revocation hearing before the Douglasville City Council Monday night and recommend yanking the operating license of the two businesses.

Some residents said they are in favor of the recommendation.

"If you run a business, you have to follow the rules and regulations of that county. And if you don't know them, you need to go to the courthouse and find out about it. It's simple,” said resident David Confer.

Channel 2's Tom Regan went to both businesses seeking comment but was told by clerks that they could not comment. A lawyer for Elite Adult told Regan he would withhold comment until the hearing.

WSBTV