By Christine McCarthy and Adam Shear
WACO- Local, state and federal agents swarmed two locations on Thursday after investigating the possible sale of the synthetic drugs, K-2, or Spice, and bath salts, at both locations.
Agents from the McGregor Police Department, Drug Enforcement Agency, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Department of Public Safety and the Waco Police SWAT team raided John's Convenience Store on N. 18th St. and Herring late Thursday afternoon, seizing some drug evidence.
During the warranted searches police arrested Nabil Mohd Hakim, 63, for possession of stolen goods and drugs, including K-2. According to police, Hakim is the owner of John's Convenience Store. Agents also raided Hakim's apartment on the 4600-block of Sanger for more evidence.
McGregor Police started to investigate Hakim a few months ago after they received reports of stolen prescription drugs in the city. The trail from that investigation led them to Hakim's store.
"What we see is one crime tends to lead into another one," said Detective Joe Coy, McGregor PD. "We're looking at not only the prescription pill theft, but we're also looking at firearm violation, we're looking at various thefts, and we're looking at narcotics activity going on."
In addition to the K-2, police recovered $7,300 in cash, along with several stolen items including guns, cell phones, computers, food stamp cards, prescription medication, and two Baylor University National Title Rings.
On Friday afternoon, McGregor police returned those rings to Baylor assistant track coach Michael Ford. Ford had five of his national title rings stolen in a 2010 home burglary and never expected to see any of them again.
"[When my house was broken into] at first I didn't worry so much about the TV or the other stuff that got stolen, but the rings were more important because I worked so hard to get those," said Ford. "It was a real blessing to get them back."
Hakim's car and passport were also seized during the raid, as well as his work visa, which listed a different name.
Agents also ended up finding gambling machines inside John's that could have been used illegally. The Texas State Comptroller's office is investigating the gambling.
"We came in [to John's Convenience Store] and saw suspicious activity and then off that caused us to look closer," said DEA Supervisory Special Agent Steve Robertson.
Robertson also said information from Thursday's raids could lead to busts at other locations.
According to Coy, Hakim had been arrested a few weeks prior to the raids by DPS Troopers on Interstate 35 for possession of 2.5 lbs. of K-2.
