BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two people have been arrested after a multi-agency enforcement operation targeting the alleged sale of illicit THC products at tobacco and vape stores in Beckley, according to the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office.
The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office and Beckley Police Department conducted the multi-day operation in response to multiple citizen complaints received in recent months. The operation was conducted with guidance and assistance from the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, West Virginia Department of Agriculture and West Virginia Tax and Revenue Department.
Investigators said the operation focused on preventing the sale of THC products to underage buyers as well as the sale of illicit THC products in general. According to law enforcement, undercover buyers were able to purchase illicit substances from multiple tobacco and vape stores in the area.
Those alleged sales led investigators to obtain search warrants for four locations. The warrants were executed on the morning of Sept. 30.
Authorities said the searches resulted in the seizure of nearly 7,000 individual illicit THC products with an estimated value of approximately $124,500. Investigators also seized more than $57,000 in U.S. currency, which authorities allege was proceeds from illicit sales, along with one firearm.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the investigation. Abdullatif Yasser Altahami was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Hada Abulhakeem Taher Abdullah was charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
Search warrants were executed at Beckley Smoker Inc., located at 1232 N. Eisenhower Drive; Adam Tobacco & Vape, located at 3066 Robert C. Byrd Drive; Raleigh Tobacco & More, located at 316 Beckley Plaza; and MacArthur Smoke Shop, located at 412 Beckley Crossing.
Authorities said the investigations remain ongoing and additional arrests and/or administrative actions are anticipated.
The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office and Beckley Police Department thanked the state agencies that assisted with the operation.
Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
