Five people were arrested on Wednesday in suspicion of distributing and selling synthetic marijuana, known as spice, in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officers from the Gang and Narcotics Division arrested the alleged dealers for possession of synthetic cannabinoids for sale near Fifth Street and San Pedro Street around noon.

Prior to this arrest, police received information about an additional location in South Los Angeles where spice was being manufactured and then distributed in Skid Row.

Officers searched the home and found money, controlled substances and precursor chemicals used in the making of spice, according to officials.

The alleged dealers targeted the homeless residents of Skid Row by providing an inexpensive alternative to other drugs, police said. Their identities are not being released at this time.

Over recent months synthetic marijuana use has grown in Los Angeles, according to the LAPD.

Spice is much less expensive and far more potent than natural marijuana, and has resulted in over 50 overdoses in Skid Row in the past two weeks, police said.

The investigation into these incidents is ongoing.