FROM STAFF REPORTS
State and local law enforcement officers have seized more than 20 pounds of products containing marijuana as well as counterfeit merchandise as part of an investigation targeting smoke and vape shops in the Statesville area.
The Iredell County Sheriff’s Offfice began an investigation in early June that culminated on Friday, July 10, with law enforcement officers executing search warraants at seven local businesses, Sheriff Darren Campbell said on Tuesday in a news release.
During the investigation, ICSO narcotics detectives uncovered evidence that these shops were selling products labeled as “Hemp” and “CBD” that contained more than the legal amount of THC set by state law. The Sheriff’s Office also received complaints from the public about these stores selling such items to school-aged children.
Investigators conducted undercover purchases of suspected marijuana, which was being sold as Hemp or CBD flower. Initial testing confirmed the items contained higher levels of THC than legally allowed, classifying them as marijuana under NC law.
Investigators made additional undercover purchases, revealing even higher THC levels, up to five times the legal limit.
While executing the search warrants, ICSO investigators and Special Agents of the Trademark Enforcement Division of the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office seized approximately 20 pounds of marijuana products and 664 pieces of counterfeit merchandise.
“The individuals involved in these activities are targeting our children,” Sheriff Campbell said. “No matter where you are in the county, we will relentlessly enforce the law to protect our community.”
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to pursue leads and gather evidence.
The smoke and vape shops where the search warrants were served:
♦ De Javu Vape Shop: 1402 Wilkesboro Highway;
♦ 88 Tobacco and Vape: 942 Davie Avenue;
♦ Tobacco and Vape: 1737 G Wilkesboro Highway;
♦ EZ Path Smoke Shop: 1000 Davie Avenue;
♦ Discount Tobacco Shop: 3454 E Broad Street;
♦ The REC: 1800 Newton Drive; and
♦ Jimmy’s EZ Pass 1 stop 1206 W Front Street
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Its nothing but illegal activity in these places!!
Close down these stores of trash cluttering up the city !!!!
*H&R Food Mart ???
Just because there’s a few rotten apples in the basket doesn’t mean that they are all rotten. There’s several other shops in town that operate in a legal manner.
It’s about time, you wonder why there’s 100 of these places around town. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what they are doing. I believe they all need to be closed up, you can get what you need at the filling station or abc store; side note if they’d just ban that stuff streets wouldn’t look like a camp ground around statesville.
These foreigners coming in setting up shops and could care less about the laws. They make the legitimate businesses look bad. Run them out of here!
I wondered why they had so much business.
They need to shut them all down. FTC prevented Novant from coming to Statesville/Mooresville. Why do they not stop the Vape shops coming, especially those selling illegal drugs?
No arrests?