LOWER BURRELL, Pa. — The Westmoreland County Detective Bureau, in collaboration with local police departments, executed raids on three vape shops in Lower Burrell on Friday as part of an ongoing investigation into the sale of illegal THC products. According to law enforcement officials, search warrants were served at ‘Burrell Tobacco and Vape,’ ‘Discount Vape,’ and an Exxon station on Leechburg Road.
The investigation, which has spanned several months, has focused on vape shops allegedly selling THC products with illegal concentrations of Delta 8 and Delta 9. Under Pennsylvania law, Delta 8 is entirely illegal to sell and consume, and Delta 9 products are prohibited if they exceed a THC concentration of 3%. Authorities stated that only individuals over 21 are legally permitted to purchase Delta 9 products within legal limits.
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli noted that the raids were prompted after reports surfaced of students from multiple local school districts being caught with THC vape cartridges in school, with allegations that the products were purchased from stores in and around the county. “To those who choose to sell these illegal products not only to adults, but to our youth, hear me now, we will continue to investigate and hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Ziccarelli said in a statement, adding, “As your district attorney and as a parent, I will not tolerate it here in Westmoreland County.”
The latest raids in Lower Burrell follow a similar operation on Thursday in which authorities searched three other vape shops in the county: ‘Vape & Smoke City’ in Hempfield Township, ‘EZ Tobacco & Vape’ in Delmont, and ‘The Vape Exscape’ in Latrobe.
Lower Burrell Police Chief John Marhefka extended gratitude to the District Attorney’s Office and the Lower Burrell Police Detective Division for their coordinated efforts, emphasizing the importance of protecting minors from harmful substances. “This serves as a reminder that safeguarding minors from addictive substances is paramount to our community,” Marhefka said.
Authorities revealed that local ambulance services have responded to at least 15 THC overdoses involving children aged 12 to 16 this year, with several cases requiring hospital treatment. The investigation remains active, and officials warned that additional raids could occur as they continue efforts to curb the illegal sale of THC products.
