Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies and the Rincon Police Department teamed to put a suspected Spice dealer behind bars Tuesday afternoon.

Deputies executed a search warrant at the Quest Quick Stop gas station on Highway 21 in Rincon following a long-term investigation.

“Over the past several weeks, we have been investigating the sale of Spice at that store,” said  Effingham Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie. “We had received complaints from citizens that they were selling Spice.”

The ECSO’s Drug Suppression Unit conducted an undercover investigation before getting and carrying out the search warrant.

Pratikkumar Patel, 25, of Pooler, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, sale of controlled substance, and possession of drug related objects.

During the investigation, agents purchased spice along with pipes from the store. As a result of the search warrant, they found several packets of Spice and several other drug-related objects, including pipes used to smoke Spice, according to ECSO reports.

They also recovered approximately $6,000.

Spice, K2 and several other products are a type of synthetic marijuana which is now a schedule 1 controlled substance. The chemicals used in these products are very potent and the strength and content may vary greatly. They affect behavior, judgment and health and can cause serious harm when used. “Bath salts” may cause increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, chest pains, and other harmful effects.

There have been reports of car crashes, self-mutilations, suicides and homicides linked to the use of these drugs.

“The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office will continue a proactive approach in eradicating this dangerous drug from our community,” Sheriff McDuffie said. “We are going to continue to follow up on leads and continue to investigate any local business that is selling Spice. Anyone who is selling Spice will be charged.”

Patel is currently being held in the Effingham County Jail