Margate police tell Martin County sheriff their city is not 'flakka epicenter'

Police in Margate refute claim by Martin County Sheriff William Snyder

(Mat Hayward/Getty Images)

MARGATE, Fla. ā€“ The Margate Police Department wanted to make one thing clear: their city should not be considered the "epicenter" for the drug Flakka.

The declaration was made via a news release issued Monday nightĀ in response to a comment made by Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.Ā 

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"The city of Margate should not be considered the ā€˜epicenterā€™ of this designer drug, contrary to the statement issued earlier today by Martin County Sheriffā€™s Office," the release said. "After reviewing the Margate Police Departmentā€™s arrest reports, it was determined that the police department has had minimal interactions with individuals under the influence of this substance. The department takes these issues relating to drugs within our community seriously. The Margate Police Department continues to investigate and utilize all of our department resources to ensure the safety of our citizens."

Snyder had previously said a man identified as NicoĀ Gallo,19, was using a designer drug when he smashed through the front window of a Florida home and attacked a woman and her son.

"The Margate Police Department is familiar with the drug commonly known as 'flakka,' which is associated with bath salts, molly and other variations of these chemicals, such as dibutylone and methylone, as mentioned by Martin County Sheriffā€™s Office, Sheriff William Snyder,"Ā the media release said.

"Flakka" can cause hallucinations, extraordinary strength and a higher than normal pain tolerance, and Margate police are "actively working cases targeting these types of drugs," the release said.