Attorney General Lisa Madigan

(Springfield, IL) – March 27, 2012. Local law enforcement and Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s investigators took down a major Central Illinois synthetic drug supplier on Friday, capturing $110,000 worth of illegal synthetic drugs, a move that drew praise from IADDA, the state’s top drug treatment advocate group.

An informant’s tip led Madigan’s investigators, Jerseyville Police, the Jersey County Sheriff’s Department and the South Central Illinois Drug Task Force to William F. Brockman Wholesale Tobacco & Candy in Jerseyville, snagging 1,200 packages of synthetic drugs with a street value of $42,000.

“This is a major step forward in our efforts to stop the spread of synthetic drugs in Illinois,” said Attorney General Madigan. “This distributor was pumping hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal drugs into Central Illinois. Cutting off the supply of these extremely dangerous substances at the source is a huge victory.”

The head of the state’s leading drug treatment advocacy group hailed Madigan’s announcement.

“While we know that the war on drugs will ultimately be won by cost efficient and proven effective drug treatment to neutralize addiction, the battle to end the scourge of drug abuse must be a comprehensive strategy, including law enforcement operations to eliminate the illegal drug trade,” said Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association CEO Sara Moscato Howe.

“We applaud Attorney General Madigan’s blow against this alleged drug supplier which is responsible for devastating lives and communities in Central Illinois.

Investigators also grabbed an additional 1,500 packages valued at $68,000, from the home of a Brockman Wholesale employee. The wholesaler is suspected of supplying synthetic drugs, like fake pot and fake cocaine, to retailers from Benton to Decatur.

“We know this is not the end to these dangerous drugs, but no doubt this action will put a dent in the fight we have waged in Jersey County for a couple of years now,” Sheriff Mark Kallal said.

“Synthetic drug usage is growing which represents a very dangerous threat to the young people of our area,” said Jerseyville Police Chief Brad Blackorby. “We are eager to get them off the street and appreciate the combined efforts of Attorney General Madigan and our agencies.”