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Feds conclude year long crackdown on synthetic drug manufacturers
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Oct 16, 2015
Listen 9:16
Feds conclude year long crackdown on synthetic drug manufacturers
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is cracking down on synthetic drugs.
Synthetic drugs in evidence bags are seen during a press conference at DEA Headquarters on June 26, 2013 in Arlington, Virginia.
Synthetic drugs in evidence bags are seen during a press conference at DEA Headquarters on June 26, 2013 in Arlington, Virginia.
(
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
)

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is cracking down on synthetic drugs.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is cracking down on synthetic drugs.

Thursday, federal agents concluded a year-long operation to combat the manufacturing and distribution of synthetic drugs, arresting a total of 151 people in 16 states since July 2014.  The DEA has been closely tracking synthetic drugs, like bath salts, Spice and Molly, since they gained popularity in 2010.  

But what exactly are these drugs? How are they made? And who is buying them?

Guests:

Marilyn Huestis, the chief of a research division at the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Bill Piper,  director of national affairs in Washington, D.C. for Drug Policy Alliance

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, All Things Considered, AirTalk Friday
Senior Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek