Nearly $40K in marijuana seized, 4 arrests in Smithfield
SMITHFIELD, Va. (WAVY) β Nearly $40,000 in marijuana was seized, four people have been arrested and business licenses have been revoked at four vape store locations following an investigation into illegal marijuana sales in the town, police said Monday.
Abdulla Yahya, Oumar Hammety, Kelsey Ewell and Aiman Alghazali were all arrested and face felony and misdemeanor possession with intent to distribute charges. Yahya and Hammety face one felony and misdemeanor charge, each, while Ewell and Alghazali face two charges, each.
The Smithfield Police Department responded to multiple vape store locations Monday morning as a result of ongoing investigation.
βItβs been a four-month undercover investigation looking into the illegal sale of marijuana," said Smithfield Police Chief Alonzo Howell.
The investigation also snagged:Β
- Planet Tobacco and Mart, 1005 S. Church St. - Arrested: Yahya, Charges: One felony count of possession with intent to distribute, Seized: 11.2 ounces of marijuana
- Smithfield Tobacco and Vape, 1921 S. Church St. - Arrested: Hammety, Charges: One felony count of possession with intent to distribute, one misdemeanor count of possession with intent to distribute, Seized: 3.5 pounds of marijuana
- Discount Tobacco and Vape, 1264 Smithfield Plaza - Arrested: Ewell, Charges: two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute and two misdemeanor counts of possession with intent to distribute, Seized: 20 ounces of marijuana
- Tobacco and Vape Cigars and CBDΒ and Kratom, 13404 Benns Church Blvd. - Arrested: Alghazali, Charges: Two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute and two misdemeanor counts of possession with intent to distribute, Seized: 6.2 pounds of marijuana
The investigation targeted narcotics and is being conducted with the Virginia DMV Law Enforcement Division, the town of Smithfield, the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office, the Virginia State Police Drug Task Force, the Virginia State Police and the Isle of Wight Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
Smithfield vape shops investigation (WAVY photo)
Smithfield vape shops investigation (WAVY photo)
Smithfield vape shops investigation (WAVY photo)
Smithfield vape shops investigation
Smithfield vape shops investigation
Smithfield vape shops investigation
WAVY Photo: Corby Slaughter
WAVY Photo: Corby Slaughter
WAVY Photo: Corby Slaughter
WAVY Photo: Corby Slaughter
Howell told WAVY the investigation was into the illegal sale of marijuana and vapes to minors. He said they arrested one person and have three others in custody.
"We found marijuana at all four locations," Howell said.
You couldn't miss the tremendous show of force at all the sites, with people asking what was going on.
"The vapes were being sold to juveniles, and that was the initial complaint," Howell said, "and from that, we also received a complaint that marijuana was part of being sold. Therefore, that's what led to the undercover investigation."
The first to be arrested an employee who allegedly sold marijuana, and the chief has this message to those selling dope.
βThe message is that the illegal sale of marijuana is just not tolerated," Howell said. "As such, the businesses [have] been shut down for the illegal sale of marijuana in violation of the town ordinance.βΒ
The signs up at the four locations state the businesses are now closed.
If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visitingΒ www.P3tips.comΒ and submitting a tip.