AMHERST COUNTY, Va. — In a recent crackdown, four vape shops in Madison Heights were raided after a two-month investigation led by the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO). The raids, which occurred on May 14, also involved Virginia State Police and the Central Virginia Drug and Gang Task Force.
Read the full story on the raids here.
The focus of the investigation was on the illegal sale of THC and nicotine products to minors. During the operation, undercover agents successfully conducted multiple controlled purchases by underage buyers at the following locations:
- Cloud 9 Smoke Shop & Vape
- Madison Tobacco & Vape
- Smoke Shop
- PipeDream Paradise Smoke Shop
The search resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of illegal products:
- $8,707.40 in cash
- 8.50 lbs. of suspected marijuana
- 1,056 THC vapes/pens
- 615 rolled marijuana cigarettes
- 19 mushroom products
- 236 packs of THC gummies
- 47 other THC-related products
These items have been sent to the Department of Forensic Science for further testing. The ongoing issue of underage sales has reportedly had severe repercussions for local youth, particularly affecting school environments.
Amherst County Sheriff’s Office on the Challenges of Regulation
The sheriff’s office expressed frustration over the lack of support from federal and state lawmakers, citing insufficient resources and oversight for vape shops. With the investigation ongoing, charges are anticipated to be filed soon.
More on the impact on local families and other ongoing investigations here.
Call to Action
The ACSO urges anyone with information related to the incident to contact their Drug Hotline at 434-946-7585 to assist with the ongoing investigation. This action underscores a broader effort to curb the access of harmful substances to minors and address community concerns about youth safety and health.
