An undercover probe led to the seizure of over 6,000 packages of vapes and edibles from four convenience stores in Northampton County, plus more than $375,000 in cash, District Attorney Stephen Baratta said Friday.
All of the items are classified as marijuana, Baratta said in a news release, after Pennsylvania State Police Laboratory testing returned positive results for the federally listed illegal drug.
The Northampton County Drug Task force opened the investigation in March “after receiving information regarding the suspected illegal sale of marijuana and THC-related products,” according to the release. THC is the component of marijuana that makes users feel high.
The drug task force executed search warrants Thursday, with assistance from the Bangor, Colonial Regional, Nazareth, Northampton, Slate Belt Regional and Washington Township police departments, in addition to Pennsylvania State Police.
Baratta’s office identified the stores where the warrants were executed as Penn Jersey locations at 7857 Beth-Bath Pike in East Allen Township, 232 Blue Valley Drive in Washington Township and 975 Mount Bethel Highway in Upper Mount Bethel Township, in addition to Pen Argyl Food Mart, 506 E. Main St. in Pen Argyl.
Efforts to reach the stores for comment Friday were unsuccessful.
Baratta said the 1,103 alleged THC edibles; 1,923 alleged THC vape cartridges; and 3,432 packages of alleged THC flower and pre-rolled cigarettes are worth an estimated $400,000.
Baratta says “illegal and unregulated THC products” being distributed in Northampton County pose public health risks.
His office “continues to prioritize the vigorous prosecution of any local store owners or individuals involved in the possession or sale of these dangerous and illegal products,” Friday’s release states.
The investigation is continuing, and additional seizures and arrests are expected, according to the release.
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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
An undercover probe led to the seizure of over 6K packages of vapes and edibles from Northampton County stores plus more than $375K in cash, the district attorney announced. Read More
