MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Thanks to a tip from a local trucking company, Loxley Police and Alabama ABC enforcement agents seized approximately 4,360 pounds of raw substance used in making the synthetic marijuana drug known as “spice.”

The substance, which calculates to 1.9 million grams, is valued at approximately $10 per gram, or a total street value of $19.5 million. There were also approximately 200 boxes of materials, including packaging, labels and sealer, among others, needed to dispense the drug.

No arrests have been made in the case. The trucking company, which is not being identified by local authorities, contacted Loxley police on Thursday, Nov. 3 after a driver found suspicious boxes in his truck while delivering a shipment. The shipment came from Florida and was returning to Florida when police were called, according to local officials.

“We know the shipment came from Florida, was being offloaded at a local trucking hub and reloaded for transport back to Florida, but we don’t know at this time exactly where the shipment came from or where it was going,” said Capt. Hal Taylor of the Alabama ABC Board enforcement division on Tuesday.

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board was contacted on Friday and ABC agents the conducted the search to verify the truck’s contents.

“This action demonstrates our commitment to keeping our state safe from these and other new and emerging drugs that have decimated families, ruined lives and caused havoc in communities across the state,” said Taylor in a press release issued Monday. “These chemicals pose a direct and significant threat, regardless of how they are marketed; we will aggressively pursue those who attempt to manufacture and sell this product.”

Taylor thanked the Loxley Police Department and the Baldwin County District Attorney’s office for their help with the seizure.

“Over the past several months, there has been a growing use of, and interest in, synthetic stimulants, marketed under the name as “Spice” labeled, marketed and distributed as incense, potpourri and a variety of other things,” Taylor said.

The products mimic the effects of cocaine, LSD, MDMA, and/or methamphetamine.

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

The products have become increasingly popular, particularly among teens and young adults, and are sold at a variety of retail outlets, and over the Internet.