Lewis County battling dangerous synthetic drug

VANCEBURG, Ky. (AP) — A synthetic drug known as "flakka" or "gravel" is wreaking havoc in some Kentucky communities, but law enforcement officers say there’s little they can do about it. That’s because possession of Alpha-PVP is only a misdemeanor, no matter how much of it a person has.

Lewis County Sheriff Johnny Bivens told The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/1RpYQLo ) deputies recently arrested the main dealer there, but others soon sprang up to take his place.

Bivens said he wants the legislature to stiffen the penalties for possession. But in the meantime he has had to get creative. Although his office has never charged anyone with organized crime, that’s what they are hoping to do.

To that end, the sheriff’s office is working with federal government agencies to track Alpha-PVP into and out of Lewis County.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com

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