On Thursday, June 5, 2025, members of the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force served search warrants at five different tobacco and vape stores located in Randolph and Upshur counties.

Both sheriff’s departments, Buckhannon and Elkins police departments, as well as the Drug Task Force, had received numerous complaints about persons under the age of 21, and minors under the age of 18, purchasing Delta 8/9 products and other illegal products from these stores.

A joint operation with the Buckhannon and Elkins police departments, Barbour, Lewis, Randolph, Upshur County sheriff’s departments, West Virginia State Police, and task force officers with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Drug Enforcement Administration was initiated.

After the conclusion of this operation, the drug task force seized approximately 500 pounds of illegal/ banned products, with an approximate street value of $500,000, and a large sum of U.S. Currency.

This is an ongoing investigation, and arrests will be forthcoming.

The drug task force commander, assistant commanders, and all the department administration leaders who have members assigned to the Mountain Region Drug Task Force would like to thank all the members who participated and made this operation a success.