Allen police uncover vape shops selling THC to minors

This summer, Allen police conducted an undercover investigation targeting smoke shops suspected of selling THC products to minors. Over several weeks, officers made purchases at various stores and sent the products for testing at a certified lab in North Texas. The investigation culminated in August with a coordinated raid involving the DEA, resulting in the seizure of products deemed to exceed legal limits. Parents expressed concern over their children being able to purchase these products illegally. The owners of City Vapes did not respond to media inquiries regarding the raids. Meanwhile, David Sergi, a hemp attorney representing eight of the raided businesses, criticized the actions of the Allen police and DEA. He claimed that the raids were an overreach of authority and that the businesses were operating legally under Texas law. Sergi emphasized that the police destroyed products and confiscated essential business records and personal computers belonging to employees. The Allen Hemp Coalition, representing some of the affected businesses, is currently engaged in legal battles to assert their right to operate within the framework of federal and state law. They have successfully challenged a subpoena from the DEA, which they described as an unjustified fishing expedition. The coalition aims to protect local, family-owned businesses from what they perceive as intimidation tactics employed by law enforcement. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between law enforcement and businesses operating in the hemp industry, raising questions about regulatory compliance and the legal status of hemp-based products in Texas.