Some area businesses have stopped selling scented potpourri and incense containing synthetic cannabinoids.

Huskie’s Tobacco, 1023 W. Hillcrest Drive, pulled all related products from its shelves in direct response to police action in Rockford, said owner Alile Sussain.

According to a Nov. 3 article in the Rockford Register Star Newspaper, 15 Winnebago County business were raided for either selling or possessing synthetic marijuana. Fourteen arrests were made and three Rockford businesses were forced to close.

According to the article, several undercover officers in the Rockford Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department and State Line Area Narcotics Team purchased the products from gas stations and smoke shops. This is the first coordinated sting operation geared against synthetic marijuana.

“I did not receive any letter from anyone, but I heard from many people in Rockford that they had trouble with it, so I stopped selling it,” Sussain said.

Smoker’s World, 818 W. Lincoln Highway Suite 3, has also stopped carrying the product, owner Sue Mustafa said.

“We’re quitting while we’re ahead,” Mustafa said. “It will be illegal soon.”

An employee of Shadowlands, 1027 W. Hillcrest Drive, declined to comment on the matter, but did confirm the continued sale of the products.

Dominic Iasparro, deputy chief of detectives at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, said all arrests made Nov. 3 were based on currently banned synthetic marijuana.

“This is a major concern for safety,” Iasparro said. “These substances are very dangerous. They pose a major concern for the health and welfare of the young people using these substances.”

DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said police do not have any raids planned at this time for DeKalb County. DeKalb Police Sgt. Bob Redel confirmed a similar raid occured last month in the city of DeKalb, but reported no arrests as area smoke shops were not found to be selling banned substances.

Iasparro said he thinks its a good idea on the part of DeKalb businesses to discontinue selling synthetic cannabinoids.