Over $100,000 and 20 pounds of marijuana seized from vape shops after new Hanover ordinance

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Five people have been charged after the Hanover County Sheriff's Office seized over $100,000 and 20 pounds of marijuana after searching eight different vape shops.

Earlier this Summer the Hanover County Sheriff's Office began investigating the illegal sale of marijuana in vape shops within the county.

According to the sheriff's office, county sheriff's also conducted "underage buyer compliance checks" at several vape stores throughout the county, and out of those checked for compliance, 11 of the vape shops were found to have sold to underage buyers.

"After the use of multiple investigative techniques, probable cause was established to execute search warrants at multiple locations in Hanover and Henrico Counties," according to Hanover County Sheriff's.

These actions come shortly after the county tightened regulations around vape shops within the area after a meeting Wednesday Aug. 27.

During the meeting the meeting, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance that would restrict, "where future vape stores can set up shop, their business hours and lighting used in their stores," according to 8News previous coverage.

On Aug. 27 county deputies along with its partners including, The Henrico Division of Police, Virginia State Police, and Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted search warrants at eight locations.

Six of the shops searched were in Hanover, with two in Henrico. According to the county, the shops were connected to "3 Stars Vape and Tobacco and Habibi Vape and Tobacco."

The search warrants resulted in the seizure of over 20 pounds of marijuana, $100, 000 in U.S. currency and paraphernalia associated with the distribution of marijuana, according to investigators.

Five people have been charged in this investigation with charges related to, the felony distribution of marijuana and felony distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school zone.

The sheriff's office ask that anyone with further information on this case call the Hanover County Sherriff's Office at 804-365-6140.