News

Vice squad pops Vape store

Sheriff Lowell Griffin warns parents about THC-laced products that appeal to children. [SHERIFF'S OFFICE VIDEO]

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 4, 2024

Vice detectives seized pot, THC extract and brightly colored cereal and candy packages that mimic popular kids’ brands in a raid last week of the Vape Star store at 615 Spartanburg Highway, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sheriff’s deputies along with officers from the Hendersonville police department, N.C. Secretary of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted the raid last on Aug. 28 after obtaining a search warrant for the business. Officers seized 431 grams of THC extract, 43.5 grams of marijuana, $3,569 in cash and two firearms and charged two people who were working at the store, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

Khaled Kamal Abougabal Hussein, 60, and Abir Hashem Mohamed Fazly, 53, were charged with criminal use of a counterfeit trademark, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and maintaining a dwelling to sell or distribute a controlled substance. Each was jailed under a $30,000 bond.

“We've received numerous complaints about various vape stores selling to underage youth,” Sheriff Lowell Griffin said in a video news release as he stood next to what law officers charged was counterfeit branding. “If you look at some of the things that are being marketed in these vape stores, you're going to see Lucky Marshmallows, we've got Cinnamon Cereal Bars and even Cookies & Cream cereal bars.”

The bubblegum-pop style packaging, he says, underscores why parents should be aware of where their kids are shopping and what they’re buying.

“It’s disturbing, especially as we approach Halloween,” Griffin said. “It just shows the need for you to continue to monitor what your children get, not only through trick or treat but what your what your teenagers and all adolescents may be consuming, because all of these products contain THC. And to this point we're not even sure which how much THC is in these products. So please just be aware.”

Then he trained the law’s sights on vape proprietors.

“If you choose to target the youth — just understand,” he said. “You're rolling the dice, and sooner or later, it's going to come up snake eyes.”