Ecstasy and other drugs taken by area task force

An estimated $4,750 in drugs were taken off the streets as drug task force members arrested one and seek others for possession and trafficking.

The METRICH-MARMET Drug Task Force seized 200 ecstasy pills, 80 Xanax pills and 6 grams of crack cocaine from a male suspect around 4 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Church Street.

“We see ecstasy on a fairly regular basis,” said Maj. Jay McDonald with the Marion Police Department. “We’re starting to see it a little bit more. It’s something that’s concerning to us.”

A few ecstasy pills also were found alongside heroin and crack cocaine at another drug bust on Friday at 615 Davids St.

Task force members also found a small amount of money on the suspect, who was caught jaywalking.

Police have not released the name of the man arrested, who was charged with possession of drugs and is at the Multi-County Correctional Center. Police have said he has given multiple names and has not been identified.

“We are grateful that these dangerous drugs are off our streets before they were sold,” Lt. Chris Adkins said.

In high doses, ecstasy can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. On rare but unpredictable occasions, this can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature, resulting in liver, kidney or cardiovascular system failure, hyperthermia or even death.

Originally published in the Marion Star on May 29, 2014.