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OSI investigation nabs 30 Air Force Spice users

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Spice use, particularly by military members, is not and will not be tolerated at Tinker.
In April, Tinker's Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 114 completed a two-month Spice-use investigation that resulted in the identification of 30 Airmen.

Assigned to six units within Air Force Materiel Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command, the Airmen have been or are currently awaiting discharge.

"Everyone needs to understand that Spice is a Schedule I Controlled Substance. In other words, it's considered the same as using marijuana," said Col. Bob LaBrutta, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander. "Therefore, if you use Spice and are caught, which you will be, the Air Force has a zero-tolerance policy so you will be jeopardizing your military career!"

Col. David Babyak, 3rd Combat Communications Group commander, agreed.

"It is no surprise to any military member that the Air Force has a zero tolerance policy for sexual assault, sexual harassment and illegal drug usage," he said. "Failure to enforce these standards would negatively impact good order and discipline thereby reducing an organization's combat effectiveness. Make no mistake, Spice is a drug; if you use it you will get caught and suffer the consequences."

Spice, an "herbal smoking mixture" with synthetic cannabis, first appeared on the European market in 2004. By 2009, it had crossed the Atlantic Ocean and infiltrated the American market. In March, it was classified as a "Schedule 1 substance" on the Drug Enforcement Administration's Controlled Substance List.

Although some versions of the product were marketed as an "herbal incense" and not for human consumption, users found it offered a high similar to that of marijuana.

Yet, the side effects -- anxiety, nausea, paranoia, discomfort, confusion and an overall longing for

the experience to end -- proved more severe than marijuana. Users also complained of "couch-lock," a feeling of paralysis.

Officials have said the reason behind the intensified effects can be blamed on the purity of the synthetic chemicals. It can also be attributed to fact that not all batches are the same. There is no universal recipe and not all of Spice's ingredients are known.

Airmen who test positive for Spice can be court-martialed, face dishonorable discharge, confinement for at least five years and forfeit pay and allowances. Additionally, enlisted Airmen can be demoted to the lowest grade. According to Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, possession or distribution of the drug is also a violation and could result in the same consequences as an Airman who ingests Spice.

Of those caught at Tinker, roughly half were habitual users who had introduced the drug to others and half were first-time users. The apprehended ranged in rank from airmen to senior airmen.

"Even though Spice doesn't seem as serious of a drug as cocaine or marijuana, we don't just turn a blind eye to it," said OSI Special Agent and Criminal Investigations Branch Chief Jeffrey Carlson.

Special Agent Carlson said the investigation began when OSI received a tip about a mounting Spice problem. Using specialized investigative techniques they compiled and analyzed information; spoke with witnesses and corroborated stories.

In addition to apprehending the guilty, Special Agent Carlson said since the close of the investigation, there have been fewer calls or tips regarding Spice use on base.
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