Capitol Petro ordered to pay $1.2 million in assets for selling synthetic marijuana

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The Wisconsin Department of Justice has reached a settlement with Capitol Petroleum and its owner relating to the sale of synthetic marijuana at gas stations in Madison, according to a release.

More than 38 pounds of synthetic marijuana were seized in June 2015 from two East Washington Avenue gas stations. In total, 3,000 packets of 74 types of synthetic pot were seized from Capitol Petro and the CP Mart Mobil gas stations.

Capitol Petro’s owner Farooq Shahzad said he did not realize he was selling synthetic marijuana. Shahzad owns 13 Madison-area stores.

Leading up to the drug bust, the documents say gas station clerks sold Madison police informants $25 hits of synthetic marijuana brands called “Scooby Snax” and “Angry Birds.” The documents said clerks handed the informants their purchases in black packages from under the counter, then the clerks wrote something on a notebook.

In 2017, a judge granted partial summary judgment to DATCP, agreeing with DOJ’s position that retail sales of these synthetic cannabinoid “spice” products violates Wisconsin’s fraudulent drug advertising statute, according to the release. Subsequently, Capitol Petroleum and Shahzad agreed to a judgment against them.

The judgment permanently prohibits Capitol Petroleum and Shahzad from selling or assisting in the sale of synthetic cannabinoid substances and requires them to pay $1,283,000 in civil forfeitures, assessments and costs, officials said.

Schimel also sent letters to 20 other gas stations, tobacco shops and retailers in Dane County warning about the consequences of selling these illegal products.

“[DOJ] will aggressively pursue action against businesses who choose to sell synthetic cannabinoids. The business and you may personally be subject to a substantial civil forfeiture from litigation pursued by this office, as well as criminal penalties from appropriate officials,” the letter said.

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