Undercover probe targets smoke shop synthetic kratom

Pinal County authorities launching a new investigation into a drug they say is dangerous, addictive, and sold over the counter. Yeah, synthetic kratom products are often marketed as a natural supplement. But tonight, we're hearing a new warning from doctors and from law enforcement. Fox 10's Jacob Luthi is live in studio tonight with more on this. Jacob. Yeah, good evening. Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller warned that some buyers looking for a harmless plant supplement could actually be getting a highly addictive synthetic opioid-like substance. Now to look into the danger. His office sent investigators undercover into some local smoke shops to see exactly how these products are being pushed to the public. To call it kratom or kratom is just not true. It's really synthetic fentanyl. The same with Kratom, too. You've got to keep upping the dosage to get the same effect. Because you adapt to it pretty quickly. Undercover video shows Pinellas County investigators questioning Smoke Shop employees about some synthetic Kratom products. After that box were done, we can't be selling no more because it's off the market and stuff too. That's how bad it is. As I was shocked to learn that the shop owners know that these products are being marketed as Perks, M80s, Blues. They're purposefully marketing these products as prescription medication. Things that are safe, that are regulated. But these things are not. But now Pinellas County Attorney Brad Miller says he sent investigators undercover to learn more about products specifically containing 7-OH. 7-OH is a compound naturally found in trace amounts in kratom, a plant that can have opioid-like effects. Doctors say these compounds, when synthesized, can act on the brain's opioid receptors, creating a risk of dependence, withdrawal, and in some cases, hospitalization or even death. What you're seeing is an evolution of the product. Some manufacturer. Taking this plant and concentrating it or chemically modifying it, and to make it a much, much more stronger active ingredient. We are seeing more and more people addicted to it. We are seeing more and more deaths to it, especially when there's a combination of different drugs. It's basically Percocet, I'm being 100% serious. County Attorney Miller says his office is now looking to support legislation, classify 7-OH as a narcotic, giving law enforcement more authority to address its sale. These are bipartisan issues. These are... These are safety issues, these are issues to protecting our kids and our community and the families of those people because, again, a drug addict does not operate in isolation. They affect their family, they affect their community, and those are the things that we want to prevent and stop. Now Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays' office has also been looking into the sale of synthetic Kratom products. Her office urges consumers to be cautious of products with vague or misleading labels, including those without clear ingredient information such as 7-OH content. Jacob Luthi, Fox 10 News.