SOMERSWORTH — As part of a nationwide operation against synthetic designer drugs, federal, state and local officials seized about five million packets of illegal materials marketed as bath salts, spice, incense or plant food last week.

More than 90 people were taken into custody and at least $36 million in cash was seized as warrants were executed in 109 communities throughout the country, including at a home in Gilford and stores in Salem and Somersworth.

As part of Operation Log Jam — the first major effort against designer drug retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers — federal, state and local officials have seized more than 4.8 million packets of synthetic cannabinoids, known as K2 or Spice, and 167,000 packets of bath salts, along with materials to produce more of both drugs, according to a release from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

As part of a five-month investigation, local police and members of the DEA found more than 2,100 packets in synthetic cannabinoids during a search at the Village Market at 35 Washington St. Somersworth, on Wednesday.

Additionally, investigators discovered records that indicated more than 15 pounds of synthetic cathinoids, or bath salt, known as “Amped” had been received and sold from the market between January and May, according to police.

The investigation, which began in February, determined “Amped” was the prevalent bath salt used in the Somersworth area.

In May, investigators from the U.S. Postal Service intercepted two packages which contained 2,100 units of “Amped.” The packages, which were headed for the Village Market, came from Arizona and could be worth more than $65,000, if sold, according to police.

While no arrests occurred in connection with the discovery Wednesday, police anticipated charges to be filed as the investigation continues in Somersworth, according to Capt. Russell Timmons.

Members of the DEA could not be reached for comment or further details in the N.H. cases.

Operation Log Jam was conducted jointly by the DEA and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations, as well as countless state and local law enforcement members.

Federal agencies have partnered together with local and state authorities to bring the synthetic designer drug industry “to its knees,” according to James Chaparro, acting director of ICE's Office of Homeland Security Investigations.

“We struck a huge blow to the synthetic drug industry. The criminal organizations behind the importation, distribution and selling of these synthetic drugs have scant regard for human life in their reckless pursuit of illicit profits,” Chaparro said in the release.

The use of synthetic designer drugs — marketed as “bath salts” or “plant food” — and smokable herbal blends, which provide a marijuana-like high, have become increasingly popular with teenagers and young adults in the past few years even though they have not been approved for human consumption or medical use by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the release.

With such names as “Ivory Wave,” “Purple Wave,” “Vanilla Sky” or “Bliss,” the synthetic drugs mimic the effects of cocaine, LSD, MDMA and methamphetamines, according to the release.

“Users have reported impaired perception, reduced motor control, disorientation, extreme paranoia and violent episodes. The long-term physical and psychological effects of use are unknown but potentially severe,” according to the release.

Meanwhile synthetic cannabinoids, including the “incense” of brands “Spice,” “K2,” “Blaze” and “Red X Dawn,” are actually plant materials coated with “dangerous psychoactive compounds that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana,” according to the release.

For more information about this operation and synthetic designer drugs, go to dea.gov.

jquinn@newstote.com