The Narcotics Division of the Brewton Police Department have been busy in their efforts to eliminate illegal drug activity in the city making four arrests in four days within the past week.

Matthew John Colvan was arrested May 16; Traci Anne Godwin was arrested May 17; Penni Nichole Pettis was arrested May 18; and Jessica Nicole Fowler was arrested May 19. All of the suspects face a variety of drug charges following their arrests.

Brewton Police Sgt. Andrew Casey said the arrests have prompted officers to make a plea to the citizens in Brewton as well as across Escambia County.

“One of the arrests ended with charges of possession of synthetic marijuana being filed on a suspect,” Casey said. “During the past six months  our agents have seen a steady rise in the use of synthetic marijuana, also known as spice or incense.”

Casey said officers are watching for suspected use of the synthetic drug and will be making arrests as warranted.

“Many people seem to believe that synthetic marijuana is legal,” Casey said. “As a matter of fact, it is often referred to on the streets at ‘legal weed,’ but we want to remind everyone that all forms of synthetic marijuana are illegal.”

Casey said anyone found to be in possession of the synthetic marijuana will be arrested and charged with a class B felony as set forth in the State of Alabama.

“Our officers have responded to multiple medical calls involving the use of synthetic marijuana,” Casey said. “We have seen patients admitted to the emergency room experiencing a variety of severe symptoms after they have ingested the substance.”

Governor Robert Bentley passed an executive order in October 2011 banning the sale of synthetic marijuana across the state after the Alabama Department of Public Health declared the substance sold under dozens of brand names was a hazard.

Jessica Nicole Fowler will be finding out more about the laws pertaining to synthetic marijuana after being arrested by Brewton police officers this week. She has been charged for the unlwful possession of a controlled substance-synthetic marijuana.

Colvin was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance; unlawful possession of marijuana, second-degree; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Godwin was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Pettis was charged with unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance.

Each of the suspects was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center where they were booked on the charges against them. Details on bond for each of the suspects was available Thursday.