Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2 July 2012

A sting operation in Lancaster County nabs five suspected drug dealers. A six month investigation by the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force with support from the State Police and local municipal law enforcement agencies led to the arrests.

This six month investigation focused on a synthetic controlled substance known as K2 or Spice, which mimics the effects of marijuana. The search warrants started Tuesday night after police say a controlled delivery was dropped off and paid for.

515 Ruby Street in Lancaster is the location in which, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, the Drug Task Force made a controlled delivery of a mailed package Tuesday night.

The delivery contained 101 packages of synthetic marijuana, which is estimated to be valued at $1300.

The DA’s Office says the delivery was accepted and paid for and the man who paid for it was arrested. That man is 21-year-old Rahul Norman Rufus.

Also arrested in connection to selling or possessing synthetic marijuana is 56-year-old Bipinkumar Rathod, 44-year-old Nik Patel, 49-year-old Brian Leese and 45-year-old Hitendrakumar Patel.

The DA’s Office describes Brian Leese’s participation as being the Vice President of the business. He was arrested for a delivery made back in February.

A search of Puff and Stuff located on Queen Street in Lancaster was made and over 300 packages of a substance believed to be a controlled substance was found, but the DA’s Office says it won’t confirm the substance until after the State Police lab tests it.

The Drug Task Force says they went ahead and made arrests now because they were tipped off that those involved knew the police were watching them.

Police had arrested five people in connection to a synthetic drug bust in Lancaster County.

Police said the men bought and sold packages of synthetic drugs to undercover cops during a six month long investigation.

Police said they also seized a number of glass pipes, digital scales, marijuana grinders and other drug paraphernalia.

Police said they arrested and charged Rahul Rufus, 21, of Lancaster with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

Rufus is in the Lancaster County Prison on $40,000 bail.

Police said they arrested Bipinkumar Rathod, 56, of New Holland at his business, Friendly Perfume and Novelty in Ephrata.

He was charged with one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and is being held at the Lancaster City police station for processing and arraignment.

Police also arrested Nikunj Patel, 44, also known as “Nik” at his business in Lancaster, Tecks News Stand on Chestnut Street.

Police charged him with three counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

He is is being held at the Lancaster City police station for processing and arraignment.

Police arrested Brian Leese, 49, of Lancaster at the Puff and Snuff on North Queen Street.

He was with one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Police say they also found a firearm on one of the employees while conducting their investigation at the store.

Police say additional arrests are pending for two employees who worked at the Puff and Snuff.

Leese is being held at the Lancaster City police station for processing and arraignment.

Lastly, police arrested HitendraKumar Patel, 45, after searching his business, the Getty Mart on the Oregon Pike in Lancaster.

Police say they found several illegal items, including drug paraphernalia.

Patel was charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and is being held at the Lancaster City police station for processing and arraignment.

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