Gloucester County suspends five vape‑shop licenses after sheriff says products contained suspected schedule I narcotics

Sheriff Daryl Warren told the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors on March 3 that an undercover narcotics probe found substances sold in five local vape shops that lab testing and undercover purchases indicate contain schedule I narcotics. After a prolonged discussion about legal process, the board voted unanimously to suspend the five businesses’ county business licenses immediately and scheduled a hearing on the matter for April 7, 2026.

Warren said the sheriff’s office, assisted by the Tri‑Rivers Drug Task Force, executed five simultaneous search warrants at stores across the county and seized “over 2,400 items that we believe to be unlawful.” He added, “these five stores are selling products that contain a schedule one narcotic,” and said possession of such a drug can be a class 5 felony under state law. During the presentation he provided the board with photographs and a copy of county code section 10‑23, which authorizes suspension or revocation of licenses for reasons including grounds that would have denied issuance.

County Attorney Mr. Wilmont cautioned the board that suspension or revocation implicates a property interest and due process. He recommended the board notify owners and registered agents and hold a formal hearing rather than trying to permanently revoke licenses on the spot. “One should get notice and an opportunity to be heard under the due process clause of the United States Constitution,” he told the board, then outlined a plan for staff to notify all required parties and for the board to be prepared to devote significant time at the April 7 meeting.

Board members repeatedly stressed public‑safety concerns and said they had been receiving constituent emails urging action. Supervisor Dr. Leming said the motion had no intended effect on the April 21 special election and was limited to asking the court to allow an amicus brief in a different matter; conversely, on the license matter he urged action on principle, saying the county should not host businesses “selling poison to our citizens.” Other members voiced caution about immediate revocation without a hearing but supported suspending licenses pending formal consideration.

The sheriff named the five businesses and addresses during the meeting: Rhino Cigars and Vape (1751 George Washington Memorial Highway, Gloucester Point Shopping Center); The Vault Vape and Hookah Shop (1720 George Washington Memorial Highway); Rhino Tobacco and Vapes (7106 Hayes Shopping Court, Kroger Shopping Center); Super Tobacco and Vape (4750 and 4752 George Washington Memorial Highway); and Rhino Tobacco and Vapes (7479 Target Boulevard). Warren said one arrest was made that day for providing false identification; additional lab results and records were still under review.

The board’s motion suspended the five businesses’ licenses effective immediately, directed staff to notify the Commissioner of the Revenue and proprietors, and set a hearing for April 7, 2026 for owners to appear and respond. The vote was recorded as unanimous.

Next steps: county staff will serve notices to registered agents and proprietors, complete a hearing packet for the April 7 meeting, and the sheriff’s office will continue to process lab results and evidence for possible criminal charges.