PENSACOLA, Fla. — A Spice trafficking ring is off the streets after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested five suspects and seized drugs, guns, and cash, the FDLE has announced.
Investigators said the case began in late 2020 as part of a wider narcotics probe. Kendrick Johnson, 44, was identified as the alleged supplier at the center of the operation.
FDLE agents and Escambia deputies searched Mr Johnson’s Pensacola home on September 23. Inside, they reportedly found about one pound of Spice, 19 pounds of chemical powder for making synthetic cannabis, three firearms, and nearly $37,000 in cash.
Mr Johnson was arrested on racketeering, trafficking synthetic cannabinoids, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
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The probe widened fast. On September 26, four more people were charged in connection with the alleged Spice ring:
- Kaitlynn Parks, 28 — racketeering, trafficking synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana with intent to sell, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- James Richardson III, 29 — racketeering, trafficking synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana with intent to sell, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Candace Clayberger, 45 — racketeering, trafficking synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana with intent to sell, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Adam Clayberger, 37 — racketeering, trafficking synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana with intent to sell, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and tampering with evidence.
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The FDLE said all five suspects were booked into the Escambia County Jail. Prosecutors with the State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit, are handling the case.
