Authorities: $100K in illegal drugs seized from Youngwood vape shop

More than $100,000 worth of illegal drug products were seized Wednesday from a Youngwood vape shop when several police agencies served a search warrant there, according to authorities.

A man working in the Youngwood Tobacco & Vape store was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, according to Westmoreland County district attorney’s office spokesperson Melanie Jones. He had immigration detainers and is expected to be deported.

Jones said that man, who is from African country Mauritania, would not be facing charges in connection with the raid. No one was charged Wednesday. Police are still investigating.

County detectives and sheriff’s deputies worked with state Attorney General agents, the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and Penn Township police during a number of undercover buys preceding Wednesday’s raid.

Jones reported the agencies seized more than $100,000 worth of products containing Delta 8, Delta 10 and THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, all of which are illegal to possess or sell in Pennsylvania. The only way to legally access cannabis products containing significant amounts of THC is by being a registered patient in the state’s medical marijuana program for an approved medical condition.

“Westmoreland County law enforcement will continue to collaborate with federal agents from ICE as needed,” Jones said.

It’s the second raid in a week of a Westmoreland County vape shop. Two men were arrested Nov. 12 at Star Smoke and Vape on Route 30 in North Huntingdon after police seized items they said were illegal.

Police made several undercover buys of products prior to Nov. 12, according to court papers. Those items contained Delta 8 products, police said. The store also was raided in February.

Jones said ICE agents are interested in one of the suspects.