A two-day operation led by the Greenbrier County Prosecutor’s Office was conducted in Greenbrier County, involving the Greenbrier County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, members of the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department, the Lewisburg Police Department, and representatives from the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, West Virginia Tax Division, and West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
During the operation, representatives from the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control, West Virginia Tax Division, and West Virginia Department of Agriculture conducted compliance checks and undercover purchases at several establishments operating under state licensing agreements. These checks revealed violations at multiple locations, prompting further investigation by law enforcement.
As a result of those investigations on June 5, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department and Lewisburg Police Department made several arrests at various “vape” and “THC” shops throughout the county.
- Avanibahen Patel, charged with the felony offenses of distributing or selling a hemp-derived cannabinoid product to a person under the age of 21; and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; posted $50,000 Cash Only Bond and released.
- Mushsen Mohammad, charged with the felony offenses of distributing or selling a hemp-derived cannabinoid product to a person under the age of 21; and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000 Cash Only Bond.
- Marwan Saleh Al Kaaiti, charged with the felony offense of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000 Cash Only Bond.
- Joseph Awahad Mohamed Algammel, charged with the felony offenses of distributing or selling a hemp-derived cannabinoid product to a person under the age of 21; and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000 Cash Only Bond.
- Taksh Pareshbhai Patel, charged with the felony offenses of distributing or selling a hemp-derived cannabinoid product to a person under the age of 21; and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000 Cash Only Bond.
- Anant Patel, charged with the felony offense of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000 Cash Only Bond.
- Isaac Bladen, charged with the misdemeanor offenses of Obstructing an Officer (x2) and Disorderly Conduct; posted $2,500 PR Bond and released.
- Khaldoon Alsaedi, charged with the felony offense of Deliver of a Controlled Substance and the misdemeanor count of Failure to Maintain Drug Paraphernalia Records; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000 Cash Only Bond.
The operation resulted in the seizure of US currency from three of the five establishments hit. The total seizure is in excess of $10,333. This amount is approximate and an accurate certified count will be available upon its deposit into the GVDVCTF seizure account.
“It is our duty to protect the health and safety of our community – especially our children. We are increasingly alarmed by the number of retail shops that continue to sell harmful and illegal products that directly target and endanger our youth. Let us be clear: this will not be tolerated. We are committed to pursuing criminal charges to the fullest extent of the law against any individual or business that profits from putting our kids at risk. These actions are not just irresponsible – they are criminal. We will use every legal tool available to hold offenders accountable and send a clear message: if you endanger our children, you will face serious consequences,” says Sheriff Baker and Prosecutor Campbell.
