VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Two local smoke shops are under investigation for illegally selling marijuana, the Virginia Beach Police Department said in a press release.
As a result of an ongoing narcotics investigation, police searched two smoke shops in the 5400 and 3600 blocks of Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Virginia Beach officers recovered raw marijuana, marijuana products and synthetic cannabinoids.
The department observed several burglaries targeting smoke shops and linked increased break-ins to businesses having illegal THC products.
“These illicit products not only violate state law but also make businesses more vulnerable to criminal activity,” the department said in a release.
One of the locations, Happy Smoke Super Gift Shop, had a fatal shooting occur in late January that left one man dead. Police say the homicide investigation and the marijuana investigation are unrelated.
Under Virginia law, any THCA or hemp product sold must have a THC content of 0.3 percent or lower. Typically, these products are prepackaged and labeled by the manufacturing facility. Products exceeding the 0.3 percent limit are considered marijuana and are illegal.
Police are still investigating. If you have any information, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
