WEST Australian pharmacist Hoang Nam Nguyen, 35, the owner of the Cloud 9 smoke-shop chain, has pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen charges of illegally supplying synthetic cannabis through his group of rainbow-coloured outlets.
Charges levelled against Nguyen's 17 staff relating to crimes under the Misuse of Drugs Amendment (Psycho-active Substances) Act were dropped by prosecutors, according to a report by the West Australian and Seven Media.
The three main components of the substances involved, according to the charges, were 5F-AMB, AB-CHMINACA and FUB-AMB, which have all been cited in alarming cases in Japan, Louisiana and New York in recent years.
They were sold under various names such as Mr Nice, Dark Phantom, Wild Joker and Illuminate Pineapple Extreme in Rockingham, Armadale, Highgate and others.
The products, many of which were synthetic cannabinoids, have been implicated in severe seizures, heat stroke and death.
Nguyen will be sentenced this month and also faces professional misconduct allegations brought by the Pharmacy Board of Australia, around his illegal activities.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 24 Sep 18
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 24 Sep 18
