Now that the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control have reclassified several chemicals found in products known as "bath salts" and "synthetic marijuana," Horry County police are giving people the opportunity to surrender the products.
The police department says detectives will be working toward confiscating the products containing the chemicals now classified as Scheduled I Controlled Substances.
First, they're offering residents and owners or operators of businesses in Horry County the opportunity to voluntarily surrender the products to police for destruction.
Horry County police will charge anyone found in possession, or who will not voluntarily surrender the products.
As a result of the emergency reclassification of the chemicals, it is now illegal to possess, distribute or manufacture the newly reclassified Schedule I Controlled Substances under South Carolina State Statute 44-53-370 in the South Carolina Code of Laws. The offense is classified as a felony and carries a possible sentence of 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
You can find a list of the chemicals that were reclassified here.
You may call the Horry County Police Department to arrange surrendering the products by calling Horry County E-911 at 248-1520 and having an officer respond to you.
Horry County police say there is no criminal penalty if you contact the Horry County Police Department immediately to surrender the products.
