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Prosecutors drop synthetic drug charges case against Casselberry store owners

Deputies raided stores across Seminole County in an attempt to take illegal, synthetic drugs off the streets months ago. Channel 9's Tim Barber has learned that one of those cases was dropped.
 
Investigators said only two of the hundreds of packets of what investigators believed were synthetic drugs seized from Casselberry Liquor tested positive for illegal substances.
 
Prosecutors dropped the case when the store produced paperwork from the supplier saying the products were legitimate.
 
Brad Markovitz said he and his brother Doug Markovitz are trying to repair their reputations.
 
Several months ago deputies raided their liquor store and arrested Doug Markovitz on charges of selling selling synthetic marijuana.
 
"We had the feeling, you know, deep in our gut that it was going to get dropped because we were not doing anything illegal," said Brad Markovitz.
 
Deputies seized hundreds of packets of Outer-Edge. Tests from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement show only two of those tested positive for illegal substances.
 
Brad Markovitz said he would be hesitant to buy those products again.
 
"I mean, we want nothing to do with it.  I mean, it was just, obviously to have your store raided and have all the trouble, it's just not worth it," he said.
 
Drug Enforcement Agency agents told Barber they are still going after suppliers, who keep changing their names and the chemicals to throw off law enforcement.
 
They said some of the drugs are powerful, and can have long-lasting effects and can be deadly.
 
In two other cases of stores that were raided two people have taken plea deals, while some cases are still moving through the legal system.       

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