A routine traffic stop by the Buchanan Police Department led to the discovery of nearly $8,000 worth of "bath salts."

Bath salt is the street name for a type of drug that has effects similar to amphetamine and cocaine. The white crystals resemble legal bathing products like epsom salts, but chemically have nothing to do with actual bath salts.

A Buchanan City Police Department Press Release states that on Dec. 3 at approximatley 8:26 p.m. Buchanan Officers and drug tasks forced seized 200 grams (7.06 oz.) of bath salts

The drugs had an estimated street value in the neighborhood of $,8,000.

Buchanan Police Chief Tracy Lambert stated that Lt. Keith Pike and Officer Officer Alan Wilkerson observed Ford Fusion traveling south on Hwy. 27 without taillights.

After the initiation of the traffic stop it was discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Robert Nelson Wood, 41, was driving on a suspended license.

His passenger, George William Hewitt, 47, was wanted for an outstanding probation violation warrant out of Carroll County.

The drugs were found, and officers contacted the Haralson-Paulding County Drug Task Force.

An agent responded and conducted field tests of the drugs, which field tested positive for illegal bath salts.

The drugs were seized and the case was turned over to the Task Force.

The Task Force charged Wood and Hewitt with trafficking illegal bath salts and a third passenger, Mary Malissa Johnson, 44, with trafficking illegal bath salts, and an additional charge of drugs to be kept in original container. All charges are felonies.