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Sheriff reports multi-agency seizures at local vape shops; county seeks indictments for trafficking
Summary
Warren County law enforcement said seizures at several Bowling Green vape shops uncovered what officials described as noncompliant THC products and more than 10 pounds of marijuana among three shops; the sheriff said felony trafficking indictments are expected and that enforcement will continue.
Warren County law enforcement reported April 3 that multi-agency operations at several Bowling Green vape shops produced significant seizures of suspected THC products and plant material, and that felony indictments are expected.
"What we found ... over a 10 pounds of marijuana between 3 vape shops. This being sold to our kids," Sheriff Tommy Hightower told the fiscal court, describing joint work with Bowling Green police, the sheriff's office, state police and prosecutorial staff. He said the investigations were complex and required specialized research by the Commonwealth’s attorney’s office.
Hightower said investigators focused on shops that had generated a higher number of citizen and school-system complaints. He described the seized material as exceeding the legal THC threshold for hemp-derived products and said county prosecutors were preparing cases for presentation to a grand jury. "We anticipate felony indictments for trafficking in marijuana over 5 pounds," Hightower said.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Stone Begley was credited in court for research supporting probable-cause work and search-warrant preparation. Hightower said state-level enforcement and inspection processes have limitations, and that local prosecutors and multiple law-enforcement agencies coordinated to gather the technical evidence needed for felony charges.
County officials framed the operation as a response to underage access and school contacts. The county judge/executive (presiding official at the court) said the seizure work is primarily about protecting children: "I understand adults feeling like they should be able to do what they wanna do. This is really not about adults. It should be, but it's about kids," the judge said during remarks to the court.
Hightower and court members urged local businesses to achieve voluntary compliance, warned that noncompliant product sales will prompt enforcement, and noted forthcoming legislative changes that may give the Alcoholic Beverage Control authority additional enforcement tools.
No suspect names, shop names or specific charging documents were released during the public meeting. Officials said some cases will be presented to a grand jury and that further details would follow as charges are filed.
