LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives seized more than $222,000 worth of illegal cannabis and THC products from six tobacco and vape shops following a five-month investigation into unlawful sales, authorities announced.
The operation culminated December 19, 2025, when the Narcotics Enforcement Section executed search and seizure warrants at businesses in La Plata, Waldorf, White Plains, and Bryans Road. Detectives recovered illegal cannabis, various THC items, production equipment, and over $40,000 in U.S. currency across the locations. The combined street value of the seized cannabis and THC products exceeded $222,000.
Investigators launched the probe in August 2025 after receiving tips about illegal cannabis sales at local tobacco and vape shops. Of the 18 such establishments in Charles County, six consistently violated laws by selling unauthorized cannabis products. A key trigger involved a parent’s report that their elementary school-aged child may have purchased a THC-containing item from one shop, though investigators could not substantiate that specific claim.
Through the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, detectives performed multiple controlled purchases. A Charles County Sheriff’s Office forensic chemist expedited lab analysis of evidence, confirming the products contained illegal cannabis. Further findings revealed some shops sold loose cannabis hidden under counters, while others disguised illegal items in mislabeled packaging promoted as hemp, CBD, or mushroom products.
Sheriff Troy D. Berry stressed the public safety risks, particularly to young people. “The illegal sale of THC-containing products is particularly concerning due to the impact these substances can have, especially with our youth. We are increasingly seeing young people affected by vapes containing THC, often marketed in ways that make them easily accessible and appealing to minors. We will continue to monitor tobacco and vape retailers and will conduct additional inspections and enforcement operations to ensure compliance with the law,” he stated.
Multiple local and federal agencies assisted in serving the warrants. The shops involved are not being named publicly at this stage. The full case will go to the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office for review, with charges pending completion of the investigation.
This enforcement action aligns with broader concerns in Southern Maryland over youth access to THC products, including vaping devices. Recent incidents in Charles County schools have involved students possessing THC vapes, underscoring the need for vigilant retail oversight. The seizures target unregulated sales that bypass Maryland’s legal cannabis framework, which restricts recreational and medical marijuana to licensed dispensaries.
The operation demonstrates effective use of HIDTA resources for regional drug enforcement and highlights the Sheriff’s Office commitment to curbing illegal distribution channels that could reach minors. No arrests were announced during the warrant service, but the pending charges could lead to significant penalties for the involved businesses and operators. Authorities plan ongoing compliance checks across the county’s tobacco and vape sector to prevent future violations.
