Tagged: K2

At least a half-dozen people are behind bars in the St. Louis area following a nationwide crackdown on the sale of designer narcotics known as "bath salts" or K2.

The federal Drug Enforcement Agency coordinated the Wednesday operation known as "Log Jam." Overall, nearly 80 people were arrested, and more than 5 million packets of the synthetic drugs seized, along with tons of raw material. It was the first coordinated strike.

For the second time in as many years, Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation outlawing the sale of synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of cocaine and marijuana.

The bill signed Thursday by Nixon takes aim at products often marketed as bath salts, incense or spices.

Last year, Nixon signed legislation banning one type of synthetic marijuana called spice cannabinoids, which are sprayed on plants and often sold under the name "K2."

But other forms of synthetic marijuana with different chemical formulas quickly went on the market.