ALLEN, Texas — The Allen Police Department raided nine vape shops after an investigation found they were selling products containing illegal levels of THC.
Products sold at the nine locations tested by law enforcement allegedly contained 7% to 78% THC, according to a press release from Allen police. The legal limit for any product containing THC sold in Texas is 0.3% or less, the release states.
Five people were arrested during the search and seizure operation, police said. Law enforcement also seized products known to contain THC at levels above the legal threshold, the release states.
David Sergi, who represents hemp-based businesses, called the raids questionable in a statement. He claims police overstepped by destroying products, confiscating personal computers and taking point-of-sale systems.
"The actions of Allen, Texas Police Department, and the DEA are an escalation of the tactics used in other parts of the state to intimidate businesses selling legal hemp-based products," the statement reads.
The Allen Hemp Coalition represents some of the businesses involved in the raid, they argue that the businesses are operating legally and that the raids were a fishing expedition, Sergi said.
The raids were part of an ongoing effort to eliminate the sale and distribution of vaping products containing THC that are above the legal threshold, police said.
"Illegal THC products can possess significant health risks to the community, particularly to minors," the release states.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Administration Dallas Field Division and Collin County Sheriff’s Office helped Allen police execute the warrants.
