Local

Police: 2 smoke shop workers arrested in connection with raid

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has learned arrest warrants have been issued for two workers at a Kannapolis tattoo and smoke shop.

Channel 9 was the only television station to cover the police raid at the Razmataz tattoo shop on North Cannon Boulevard in June.

Eyewitness News was there Thursday as officers returned armed with warrants to arrest two workers, Justin Powers and Jatana Powers.

Police said state lab test results prove some of the products they seized from the store contained illegal ingredients in synthetic marijuana.

"One of the particular samples, K2 XXX, tested for the banned chemicals," said Sgt. Joe Yurco of the Kannapolis Police Department.

The Powers were arrested Thursday afternoon. Police said they found the couple at a Motel 6 on Lane Street in Kannapolis. Police said when they searched the room, they found 2.5 grams of crack cocaine, 10 Xanax pills, 150 grams of synthetic marijuana, crack pipe, a Ruger .22 caliber handgun and a Kel-Tec 9mm handgun.

Police said Justin Powers faces additional charges of possession with intent to sell and deliver synthetic cannabinoid, maintaining a dwelling, possession of a schedule IV controlled substance, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jatana Powers faces additional charges of possession of cocaine, maintaining a dwelling and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jack Horton runs a recycling business next door and he remembers the summer raid.

"We saw them roll in right through here in an SUV," said Horton. "Then, we saw Eyewitness News back there but we didn't know what was going on."

Channel 9 showed him the warrants for felony charges against Justin Powers and misdemeanor charges against his wife, Jatana Powers.

"I know there were people going in there and buying it. But that stuff is no good," Horton said.

"They had a huge business going in there," Yurco said. "There was a crowd lined up every day with people waiting to buy it."

Detectives believe they've made a big dent in synthetic-pot sales in Kannapolis but they're still working hard to stop people from bring it across city lines.

Channel 9 asked if police will have to give back the products that did not test positive for illegal substances.

They said a judge will most likely order them destroyed.

Police also found a gun during their June raid. It will be destroyed too.

Justin Powers is being held under a $5,000 bond and Jatana Powers under a $1,000 bond.

Read past coverage: June 20: Kannapolis police seize bags of fake pot in head shop raid 

To see more local news stories, click here.