Police arrested a Portage man and woman Thursday on five felony charges each after police said they confiscated 64 pounds of synthetic drugs, chemicals used to make them, almost $3,000, and two guns, one of which was stolen.
The arrests, according to a release from Sgt. Jamie Erow, public information officer with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, came after that department and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency received a tip earlier this month regarding the alleged manufacturing and sales of synthetic drugs in the 5600 block of Carnation Avenue in Portage.
Investigators assigned to the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group, assisted by the DEA and Portage SWAT, executed a search warrant at the residence Thursday.
There, police found 64 pounds of synthetic drugs; 940 grams of synthetic chemical compound used to manufacture the substance commonly referred to as “spice;” evidence of several gallons of acetone, which also is used to manufacture the substance; $2,955 in cash from the sales of narcotics; a stolen Ruger mini 14 rifle; and a Glock 37 semi-automatic pistol, a report said.
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Muhammad Sobuh, 31, and Kesha Sobuh, 34, of the home on Carnation, were arrested and transported to Porter County Jail on preliminary felony charges of dealing in a controlled substance; dealing in a synthetic drug; manufacturing of a synthetic drug; maintaining a common nuisance; and possession of a stolen firearm.
The chemicals used in the clandestine production of “spice” are extremely volatile and create a health and environmental hazard, Erow said, adding the sheriff’s department encourages the community to continue submitting detailed tips to the Porter County “Submit a Tip” on the sheriff’s department website, www.portercountysheriff.com.
Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.