Eight people arrested, 72 pounds of illegal substances seized after Richmond area vape shop investigations

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Eight people were arrested and over 72 pounds of illegal substances were seized following investigations by officials into multiple vape shops in the Richmond area.

The Henrico County Police Division announced on Wednesday, Oct. 1, that it was partnering with county leaders and regional law enforcement -- including Virginia State Police, the Richmond and Chesterfield County police departments, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Richmond District -- to address concerns with crimes at vape shops in the area.

On Friday, Sept. 26, Henrico Police detectives carried out 10 search warrants on multiple vape shops suspected of selling marijuana and other illegal substances across the greater Richmond area.

Henrico Police worked with regional and federal law enforcement partners to carry out the searches at the following locations:

• The Simpson Smoke Shop, located at 7037 Staples Mill Rd in Henrico County
• ZAZA Puff Palace, located at 3078 Hull Street Rd in Richmond
• ZAZA Wonderland, located at 3927 Hull Street Rd in Richmond
• ZAZA R US, located at 1838 E. Nine Mile Rd in Henrico County
• Gas City, located at 1806 Fairmount Ave. in Richmond
• Four homes in Henrico and Chesterfield counties
• A storage unit on Springfield Rd in Henrico County

Police said evidence collected from these searches resulted in more than 60 pounds of marijuana, worth over $150,000, more than 12 pounds of THC edibles and roughly $100,000 in cash, as well as multiple firearms and vehicles.

The following eight people were arrested and charged by Henrico Police in connection with what the division describes as a "criminal enterprise":

• Omar atef Falah Aljeradat, 31, of Henrico County
• Adham A. Jaraddat, 24, of Henrico County
• Ahlam Abedelnoor Jaraddat, 42, of Henrico County
• Shams Khaled Mohamed, 24, of Henrico County
• Ahmad Mahmoud Ail Barqawi, 22, of Henrico County
• Nashwan Mosleh Mozeb, 34, of Henrico County
• Aaliyah Shamari-Lynette Gordon, 23, of Henrico County
• SeanJanae Marie Crosswhite, 23, of North Chesterfield

Officials said charges include transporting more than five pounds of marijuana into Virginia, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

Police said one person remains at large and further indictments are pending.

Although the recreational use of marijuana is now legal in Virginia, police noted that the sale for recreational use is still illegal.

"Illicit products are becoming ever more prevalent in the Commonwealth at these vape shops," the division said. "The Division’s Drug Enforcement Unit investigates complaints of this nature while working in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Authority."

Henrico County Chief of Police, Eric D. English said that the trend in crime is a national issue.

"This crime trend is not unique to Henrico County, but rather a nationwide issue,” English said. “Our sworn personnel across many units are heavily involved in finding ways to not only prevent these crimes from happening but enforcing the law and charging those responsible.”

English added that there is particular concern around local youth.

"One of our biggest concerns is our youth coming into possession of this product," English
said. "We do have cases, dating back to 2024, where minors have broken into a vape shop,
stole illicit product, and then sold it to their peers."

Currently, Henrico County has an ordinance that prohibits the establishment of a vape shop within 1,000 feet of a school, or 2,000 feet of a public park or existing vape shop.

Henrico Police said it continues to use "all available resources" to address these issues.

Anyone who has a tip about a business selling illegal products can email the information to police@henrico.gov.

The arrests and searches follow five arrests in August in Hanover County in connection with the illegal sale of marijuana.