HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
Business owners whose employees sell spice could face charges and
losing their business license.
In the last three weeks, authorities raided two different
businesses for the synthetic marijuana. One of the businesses was caught
selling the drug twice in one week.
Police said that while every situation is different, even if the
clerk is the one caught selling the product, the store owner could still face
charges.
A Lincoln Mini Mart in Huntsville was busted twice for spice and
two different clerks were arrested. Legal analyst Mark McDaniels said that
under law, a business owner is liable for what his or her employees do. If the
authorities believe the store owner had part in the crime, he could face
charges.
"It's a very trying time for businesses because they have bought
this inventory and what they have to understand is every time they sell it, any
of it, it's a Class B felony," said McDaniels. "If they sell it ten times that's
ten Class B felonies."
Despite the two separate busts, the Lincoln Mini Mart still has
its business license, but police said that could change. When the police raid the businesses, they can request for a
businesses' license to be revoked. For that to happen, they would have to make
a formal request to the city or liquor license board.
"When
that happens - when that business license is revoked - that company is out of
business," said Dr. Harry Hobbs with the Huntsville Police Department.
McDaniel said that even in the case where the clerks were
the ones caught selling the drug, the business can be considered a public
nuisance and the city attorney's office can move to revoke the license as well.
While police have not yet moved to revoke any licenses, they said it is something they are not afraid to do.
"If you
have a trend of breaking the law then those are options are department will
exercise," said Hobbs.
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