On December 19, 2024, Sr. Tpr. B. F. Gorondy and Tpr. Seabolt executed a traffic stop in Berkeley County, West Virginia. During the stop, raw marijuana was located and found to have been purchased at a local vape store.
During a subsequent traffic stop in Jefferson County, WV, an illegal vape device was found and learned to have been sold locally in Martinsburg. Sr. Tpr. Gorondy and Tpr. Seabolt began an investigation into the local vape shops with the assistance of BCI-Martinsburg (EPDVCTF) and the WV Department of Agriculture.
Throughout the investigation and review of failed compliance checks, 13 locations were developed as locations selling illegal THC products.
On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, multiple search warrants were served at the vape shops in Berkeley, Morgan and Jefferson counties. Officers with the WVSP, Martinsburg City Police Department, EPDVCTF, Potomac Highlands Task Force, Charles Town Police Department, and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office were able to recover over approximately $96,987 in U.S. Currency, approximately $700,000 worth of illegal products, six firearms, a Ford Transit van and 2025 Lexus SUV.
The investigation is ongoing, and the respective prosecutor’s offices will be reviewing for possible indictments.
