Police say they've seized a "cocktail" that's apparently making people drive and act crazy in New Jersey. And it's very dangerous, authorities say.
The Fairfield Police Department on Thursday executed a search warrant at the Nutrition Zone, located at 397 Route 46 West, looking for "Catnip Cocktail," a solution that is commonly used to sedate cats, police said
While not listed as a federal scheduled controlled dangerous substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the solution is a scheduled drug in the state of New Jersey, police said.
The improper use of Catnip Cocktail first came to the attention of Fairfield authorities in July 2018 when officers were called to investigate an individual who was dancing, yelling and generally acting abnormally in front of a hair salon, police said.
The incident happened in the same strip mall where the Nutrition Zone is located, police said.
When officers found the man, he was allegedly having a variety of mood swings, going from being very friendly one moment to then being confused and angry the next, police said.
Six bottles of Catnip Cocktail were found in his possession along with a receipt indicating they were purchased at the Nutrition Zone in the same strip mall, police said.
The next dealing Fairfield officers had with Catnip Cocktail occurred on Nov. 1, 2018 when a citizen caller alerted police to an erratic driver travelling west on Route 46, police said.
When officers stopped this vehicle, the driver allegedly was acting irrationally, was extremely confused and unaware of his surroundings, police said.
Found in his vehicle were several bottles of Catnip Cocktail. The suspect was eventually charged with driving under the influence and had to be hospitalized, police said.
The most recent incident took place on Feb. 26, 2019 when officers were called outside of Retro Fitness, located on Route 46 East, for an unresponsive man. The officers deployed Narcan and, when the individual came around, the man was sent to the hospital. A bottle of Catnip Cocktail was found in his possession.
In executing Thursday's, search warrant, Fairfield detectives recovered 62 bottles of Catnip Cocktail, 29 bottles of Human Growth Hormone (HGH), 20 bottles of a mixing agent, 13 bottles of Prohormones and seven high capacity handgun and rifle magazines.
Arrested was John Sirico, 48, of Tafton, Pa. He was charged with three counts of 3rd degree possession of a scheduled I drug, two counts of second-degree possession with the intent to distribute, one count of third-degree possession with the intent to distribute, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of hypodermic syringes and seven counts of fourth-degree possession of high capacity magazines.
Authorities allege that Sirico was well aware that he should not be selling Catnip Cocktail based upon the fact that it was hidden from customers' view, and that there was no advertisement that would make customers aware that the business even sold the product.
"It seems quite suspicious to me that an individual looking for something to sedate a cat with would come to a Nutrition Zone and not a veterinarian, to purchase a product that wasn't even advertised or on display for the public to see" said Chief Anthony G. Manna. "This is a very dangerous product and it appears its improper use is on the rise. In executing today's search warrant, the Fairfield Police Department has sent a clear message that we will do whatever we can to assure that Catnip Cocktail does not become the next drug fad" said the chief.
Sirico was remanded to the Essex County Jail pending a hearing in Superior Court in Newark.
https://patch.com/new-jersey/millburn/police-seize-drug-fairfield-nj-thats-making-people-crazy?utm_campaign=blasts&utm_medium=social&utm_content=newjersey&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR1RdwY5JqfnSzX5eXoy_TDIJBCWKnV6ERedKw7TLNgk-aZUxotXbx0c5HM
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