Attorney General Paxton Obtains Court Order Halting Sales of Dangerous Synthetic Drugs at Houston Smoke Shop

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping Good Timez Boutique & Smoke Shop, its owners, and landlord from selling dangerous and highly-addictive synthetic drugs to youth in the Houston area on Thursday, said a press release Monday.

According to the release, the restraining order stems from a joint operation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, the Harris County Attorney’s Office and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force (HCSO/NTF). Several undercover investigations by law enforcement officers led to the seizure of the dangerous synthetic drugs at Good Timez.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Harris County Attorney’s Office filed the lawsuit and TRO request in the Harris County district court naming the following defendants:

• Good Timez Boutique & Smoke Shop, also known as Good Timez Smoke Boutique, and also as Good Timez Smoke Shop
• Smoke Timez, Inc.
• Jose Alfaro
• A&M Prime Investments, LLC and the Real Property Known as 3517 Little York Rd., Houston, Texas

Facts of the case:

Officers with HCSO/NTF conducted undercover operations at Good Timez Smoke Shop and uncovered the ongoing sale and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids. According to investigators, synthetic drugs were sold in packages deceivingly labeled as “Not Intended for Human Consumption.” On March 2, 2016, undercover officers purchased a packet of “Blueberry Kush” at the Good Timez Smoke Shop store. The packet of “Blueberry Kush” tested positive for XLR11, an illegal synthetic cannabinoid. On March 12, 2016, undercover officers purchased another packet of “Blueberry Kush” and then seized approximately 400 additional packets, a gun, and $3700 in cash.    

Synthetic drugs are substances that are sprayed or injected with a synthetic cannabinoid and deceivingly sold to users as a “legal” high. The dangers of synthetic cannabinoids are widely reported and include severe paranoia, psychotic episodes, violent delusions, kidney damage, suicidal thoughts, and self-mutilation.

The State’s lawsuit alleges violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices–Consumer Protection Act, as well as the common nuisance statute under Texas law. The State intends to seek a permanent injunction against both businesses. This is the ninth joint operation that the Texas Attorney General’s Office has taken in Harris County with the cooperation of local authorities. 

To view the filings against defendants, check the plaintiff’s original petition or the temporary restraining order itself.