UPDATE (June 15, 2018)– Jeramie Smith pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a syringe, maintaining a common nuisance, corrupt business influence and dealing in methamphetamine. All other charges were dropped. He’ll serve about three years in jail. He received 398 days of jail credit.
Original story:
GREENFIELD, Ind. – Greenfield police announced the arrest of a man accused of making and distributing candy laced with drugs.
The Greenfield Police Department sent an alert Monday about “Sweet Tarts” laced with drugs ranging from Xanax to heroin after officers recovered more than 1000 pieces of the candy last week.
Tuesday morning, police said they’d arrested Jeramie Smith, 30, at his apartment in the 2100 block of North West Bay Drive in Greenfield. Investigators found the candy along with methamphetamine, syringes, baggies, scales and concentrated THC for vape pens. His arrest came as the result of a two-month investigation, police said.
“I’m speechless. It’s scary,” said neighbor Sharath Kura.
“It’s kinda scary actually to think about it,” said parent Steve Couch.
Steve lives in the same complex along with three young kids.
“It’s concerning because those candies look like something my child could pick up,” said Couch.
Police said Smith was in the process of making the drug-laced Sweetarts when they arrived to search his residence. They believe he was distributing them to Hancock County and surrounding counties.
“If a small child got a hold of one with heroin or meth, the best result would be a trip to the hospital, it not something a lot more serious,” said Greenfield police Det. Lt. Randy Ratliff.
Police are concerned that children could unsuspectingly ingest the drug-laced candy and suffer ill effects. Investigators said the drug-laced version looks like normal candy, making it difficult to tell the difference between them until the candy is consumed.
Smith faces several charges, including dealing in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, corrupt business influence, dealing in a Schedule IV controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. Police said the estimated street value of the Sweet Tarts and drugs in Smith’s apartment was $20,000.
Last month, a Columbus high school student was caught with the drug-laced candy, which the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office called “Xanie Tarts.”
Police say the drug bust illustrates how the drug fight changes by the day.
“It constantly evolves. Narcotics dealers come up with different things all the time,” said Ratliff.
Det. Ratliff pointed out the candy laced with drugs appeared slightly darker and shinier than normal. Police are now warning parents to keep an eye on what candy their kids are eating.
“You don’t want your child ingesting candy that may be covered with a liquid form of heroin,” said Ratliff.
