Falls Church City Police have launched an investigation into complaints regarding the alleged sale of illegal merchandise by a City business. On June 28, police executed a search warrant at The Arabica Tobacco Shop, 1110 West Broad St. in Falls Church. They seized 86 bags of evidence which contained assorted pieces of drug paraphernalia and 1,700 packets of suspected K2 Spice, which is synthetic cannabis, sometimes referred to as “fake pot.”

The K2 substance is a psychoactive herbal and chemical product which when consumed mimics the effects of cannabis, a hemp plant, which is cited by the Drug Enforcement Administration for its potential public health risk.

As of March 23, 2011, it is illegal in Virginia to possess, sell, gift, or distribute synthetic cannabinoids.

The penalty for violating this section of the Virginia Code depends on the amount sold and the intent of the sales and ranges from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a felony.

The owner and manager of the Arabica Tobacco Shop were on site during the execution of the search warrant by Falls Church Police and were cooperative with authorities. No arrests were made and the investigation continues.