NEW YORK -  Federal prosecutors announced charges against three individuals for allegedly conspiring to distribute the synthetic designer drug, known as bath salts, which is a controlled substance. The defendants manufacture and distribute bath salts and other synthetic drugs through their business, “SmokeClear Inc.” (“SmokeClear”).  Guilo Bertoli, Anthony Capaccio, and John Messina were taken into custody Wednesday as part of a nation-wide law enforcement action known as “Operation Log Jam,” targeted against the synthetic designer drug industry responsible for the production and sale of synthetic drugs that are often marketed as bath salts, Spice, incense, or plant food. The defendants were presented in Manhattan federal court.

Since May 2012, the DEA has investigated the defendants and their businesses for mass manufacturing and distribution of bath salts. The defendants’ company, SmokeClear, manufactured and shipped bath salts from a warehouse in Newark, New Jersey.

Bertoli, 36, Capaccio, 36, both of Newark, NJ, and Messina, 48, of Brooklyn, New York, are each charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. They each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum $1,000,000 fine.