2 Westmoreland County vape shops under investigation

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) — Two Westmoreland County vape retailers are below investigation for allegedly promoting unlawful medication from their shops.  

County detectives had been seen finishing up packing containers of proof out of PA Vapor off Route 22 in Murrysville and Keepin’ It Glassy in Greensburg on Wednesday. District Legal professional Nicole Ziccarelli stated PA Vapor is accused of not solely promoting unlawful THC and marijuana merchandise however focusing on kids as younger as 12 years outdated. 

“Advertising and marketing unlawful medication to our youngsters is shameful and won’t go with out investigation and prosecution by this workplace if warranted,” Ziccarelli stated.  

The year-long investigation began after Murrysville police obtained a number of complaints that minors had been buying merchandise from the shop.  

County detectives had been additionally notified that a number of highschool college students had been discovered with vape and THC pens inside a neighborhood faculty district that was allegedly offered by PA Vapor. 

“The sort of unlawful drug exercise and practices is not going to be tolerated in our group. We are going to totally examine and prosecute any unlawful drug gross sales or exercise in our group. We are going to defend our residents and maintain our group secure from these intent on breaking the legislation,” Murrysville Police Chief Tom Seefeld stated.  

Seefeld stated the shops had been promoting merchandise together with edible sweet bars and marijuana wax.  

“They’d many types of this THC from ingesting it to consuming it. The store was arrange very nicely to partake in that criminal activity,” Seefeld stated.  

“The merchandise are very interesting the way in which they’re marketed to kids. They’re very interesting. And that is what’s so harmful. We’re having kids experiment with these medication as younger as 12 years outdated,” Ziccarelli stated. 

Ziccarelli stated companies like vape retailers are welcomed in Westmoreland County, however these promoting unlawful medication might be prosecuted. 

“One level that I simply wish to make very clear right now is in Westmoreland County, we welcome enterprise, we wish your corporation to be right here and thrive. However in the event you’re promoting unlawful THC merchandise, to anybody, and particularly focusing on kids, we’ll launch an investigation and we’ll prosecute you for these efforts,” Ziccarelli stated.  

Ziccarelli is warning mother and father and college leaders to be vigilant of unlawful companies shifting into the county and the risks some merchandise may pose to kids.  

In response to the district lawyer’s workplace, “One ambulance firm that providers Westmoreland County indicated that it has responded to no less than 12 THC overdoses relative to kids between the ages of 12-16 years outdated simply throughout the final 12 months, many requiring transportation to a neighborhood hospital for therapy.”  

It is unknown if the shop vape shops raided Wednesday are linked or below the identical possession. To date, no fees have been filed.