A New Matamoras man was arrested Friday after picking up packages at the post office filled with illegal bath salts.
The drugs, often labeled for sale as bath products, were banned in Ohio in October and in Marietta in July. Effects from ingested, inhaled or injected bath salts are similar to those caused by meth and cocaine and can include agitation, rapid heart beat, delusions and hallucinations.
Todd W. Grether, 34, of 408 Cougler St., was charged with a third-degree felony possession of drugs and taken to the Washington County Jail, where he remains without bond pending his initial court appearance Monday.
According to a release from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, inspectors for the U.S. Postal Service informed officers with the Major Crimes Task Force Wednesday that they had intercepted packages bound for New Matamoras that contained bath salts. Using a federal warrant, postal authorities opened the packages, which contained 25 packets of the drug.
The packets tested positive for MDPV, the chemical found in bath salts that was recently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.
Grether was informed Friday the packages were ready for pickup, with cash due upon delivery. According to the release, Grether paid $245 for a package with 10 packets of bath salts and said he would return later to pay for the other package.
As he exited the post office, he was taken into custody by task force agents. When questioned, Grether admitted knowing the packets contained bath salts but said he didn't know they were illegal.
Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks said the packets were intended for resale.
"He had redeemed the first package, which he was going to sell and then with that money go back and get the other package," he said.
Mincks said the packages were sent from Texas after Grether made a purchase online. The bath salts were discovered by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) task force, which monitors packages.
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