Marion County teen faces life sentence after 170 bottles of synthetic drug seized

A 17-year-old Marion County resident faces a potential life sentence after deputies seized 170 bottles of a synthetic drug known locally as CEB. The charge stems from a traffic stop conducted last week, which resulted in one arrest and the removal of the bulk of the county's current supply.

The substance, chemically designated MDMB-4en-PINACA, is gaining traction among local users. It is primarily distributed as a vape liquid but also appears in powdered form. Residents hear it referred to as CEB, pronounced seeb, or cob. Authorities state the drug is making its way through the county in increasing quantities.

Haygen Gable was charged with one count of trafficking a controlled substance. His case initially appeared in youth court, but prosecutors moved it to circuit court because the specific charge carries a statutory maximum of life imprisonment. A judge set his bond at $100,000.

Capt. Pete Williams of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the department has identified several groups of young people distributing the product. "We’ve identified a lot of them, we’re working towards bringing them to justice," Williams said. He noted that the 170 bottles seized represent a substantial portion of the drug currently circulating in the area.

The seizure occurred during a routine traffic stop. The single arrest is part of a broader effort by local law enforcement to track the movement of synthetic cannabinoids before they become entrenched in the local market. No other defendants have been named in connection with the recent confiscation.