ELKINS, W.Va (WDTV) – Five tobacco and vape stores in Randolph and Upshur counties were raided Thursday after receiving reports of them selling illegal products and serving minors.

The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force seized approximately 500 pounds of illegal/banned products with an approximate street value of $500,000 and a large sum of money, according to West Virginia State Police.

The Upshur County and Randolph County sheriff’s offices, along with the Buckhannon and Elkins police departments, had received numerous complaints about people under the age of 21 and minors under the age of 18 purchasing Delta 8/9 products and other illegal items from the five stores. Due to the reports, a joint operation was initiated, police said.

Arrests will be forthcoming, police said, and the investigation is ongoing.

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