BEAUMONT — Federal and state officials joined with area and local law enforcement to warn the public of a deadly synthetic drug epidemic that has taken the lives of three men within an 8-day-period.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Brit Featherston said the men, ages, 24, 25 and 31, died in separate cases, one in Newton County and two in Jasper.

“This stuff will kill you,” Featherston said during a press conference at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Beaumont on Wednesday. “There is a bad batch out there and we don’t want anyone else to die from this.”

Featherston had harsh words for those who may be involved in synthetic drugs.

“If you’re selling K2, we’re coming after you,” he said. “if you’re dealing, we’re coming after you.”

K2 is one of numerous names for synthetic drugs that is marketed as potpourri but sometimes is considered “fake weed” or “fake marijuana.”

Empty packets of the synthetic drug were laid out on a table in the media room, many with familiar cartoon characters and names such as Mad Hatter, Scooby Snax, Mr. Happy, Breaking Bad, Cheap Trip, Death Grip, Joker, Kush, Angry Birds Space and Mister Nice Guy.

DEA Associate Special Agent in Charge Sherod Jones, who is based out of the Houston office, said there are a number of myths associated with the drug, which is manufactured in Southeast Asia and China. The Internet spreads the fallacies saying that a smoker will be able to pass a drug test when doing the drug, that the effect is stronger that marijuana and cheaper with the same effect, he said.

Featherston explained that the drug, which is not made under FDA controls, is typically created in a cement mixer where a base element of acetone is added. The substance is tumbled, and then laid out on a table where it is sprayed with chemicals.

“If the person gets distracted, they may spray more in one area and that area is more concentrated, a more intense area,” Featherston said.

The danger of the drug is real.

“It’s killing them (users) now, not later,” Newton County Sheriff Billy Rowles said. “With the case we had, the man went to the store for a pack of cigarettes, hit on it (drug) and in a manner of minutes he was dead right there.”

Port Arthur Police Chief Patrick Melvin said it is just a matter of time before cases such as these make it to the city.

“We are talking about a bad batch out there but there are no good batches,” Melvin said.

Houston has also been seeing an increase incases with upwards of 15 people per day heading to the emergency room.

Beaumont Police Capt. Chris Schuldt said if this epidemic is happening in Houston, it’s happening here too. While there have not been any recent deaths there have been people who have become sick from the drug.

The K2 epidemic, as it has been called, is widespread. Brooklyn, New York saw 33 suspected overdose cases in July 2016, according to the New York Times. In August 2016, Beaumont saw upwards of a dozen people overdose on a bad batch and in January 2016, more than 50 people overdosed on the drug in a few days time.

“I ask moms and dads, if you see this in your house or community, sound the alarm,” Featherston said.

Persons with information about K2 or other synthetic drugs are asked to call their local police department.

Reporter: Mary Meaux, 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews