HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A court order has been negotiated to close a smoke shop in the Montrose area for allegedly selling synthetic marijuana, authorities said.
The owners of Fantasy Smoking and Accessories at 1340 Westheimer Road are forbidden by the order from selling illicit synthetic drugs at any other location.
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Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan obtained a court order last week from State District Court Judge Michael Landrum, authorities said. Ryan acted on behalf of the state and in partnership with the city of Houston.
Undercover officers from the Houston Police Department purchased Kush in packages variously labeled "Spongebob" and "Zilla," featuring pictures of the cartoon character and Godzilla, the movie monster, according to the lawsuit.
A clerk said the store had been selling 15 to 20 of the packages a day since 2014. Authorities said he also informed officers that the synthetic cannabinoids would be delivered in a trash bag, and employees would individually wrap the drugs in the back room of the store.
"It is an unbelievably heinous crime to market illegal drugs to children using cartoon and movie characters," Ryan said. "The real monster is not Godzilla, but any person who would promote these products to our kids."
The Office of the County Attorney said it has been working with the Texas Attorney General and the city of Houston, using the state's consumer protection laws, to shut down businesses that sell synthetic marijuana.
The case has been set for trial in the 113th District Court in September.