Flowery Branch business owner arrested for selling fake pot

FLOWERY BRANCH - The owner of a Flowery Branch convenience store was arrested Wednesday and charged with possessing and selling synthetic marijuana.

Police Chief David Spillers said his office sent a letter to local businesses about Gov. Nathan Deal signing Senate Bill 370 into law, which bans the possession or sale of the drug, also known as "herbal incense," "Spice," "Ascension," "Green Giant" and "Nirvana," among other names.

"Mr. Siddiqui was the only one that did no comply with the law and did not comply with the request," he said.

Spillers said Mazhir Ali Siddiqui was subsequently arrested at his business, Best Buy Quality Foods on Atlanta Highway.

He said Siddiqui remains in the Hall County Jail, where he's also being held on an immigration violation.

"It looks like the sheriff's 287(g) program has filed an additional accusation, placing a detainer against him as a result of him being in the country here under a work visa," said Spillers.