A Waterloo convenience store manager has admitted to illegally selling synthetic drugs. Twenty-six-year-old Earl James Ramos pled guilty to selling the synthetic drug pentradone that is commonly called “bath salts.”

Ramos admitted to selling the drug in October of 2012 and admitted he knew the drug would be used for human consumption. Court records show Ramos began selling synthetic controlled substances from the Five Star Snacks store and in other locations, upon request of certain customers. Police seized a product called “K-2” from the store in May 2012, and then the store started to sell the products again, but kept them hidden from view and only sold to known individuals.

Police searched Ramos’s store and residence in Waterloo in June 2013 and seized nearly 17-hundred packets of suspected of synthetic drugs. Ramos was again told to stop selling the products, but officers were able to purchase the products in December of 2013. They searched Ramos’ home and seized more of the products. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

More information on the case: Earl Ramos plea PDF