GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – A coordinated enforcement operation involving multiple state and local agencies led to the arrest of six individuals Thursday in Greenbrier County, following undercover compliance checks at vape and tobacco shops accused of selling illegal THCA products and drug paraphernalia to underage customers.
The sweep was part of an ongoing initiative by the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA), conducted in partnership with the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office, the Lewisburg Police Department, the West Virginia Tax Division and the state Department of Agriculture. Investigators said the operation targeted violations of state law related to the sale of high-THCA cannabis derivatives, paraphernalia and products not properly labeled or logged.
Authorities said the compliance checks were carried out on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 4, and involved underage agents attempting to purchase controlled substances without presenting identification. Those agents were reportedly successful at multiple locations in Lewisburg, Ronceverte and Frankford.
The first arrest occurred at 3 Tobacco, a business located at 224 Red Oaks Shopping Center in Ronceverte. According to law enforcement, an underage WVABCA agent purchased a “Space Monkey THCA” vape for $30 and a glass smoking pipe for $28 without being asked for ID. The transaction was not logged, in violation of state sales regulations. The clerk who handled the sale, identified as Mohammad Muhsen, 24, was arrested the following day after law enforcement reviewed video footage and confirmed his identity.
During a follow-up inspection of the store, investigators discovered a large quantity of prohibited substances. Items recovered included containers labeled with THCA concentrations ranging from 24% to 100%, along with a bag labeled “Flower ½ pound” containing an unlabeled green leafy substance believed to be cannabis. Another employee, Marwan Saleh Al Kaaiti, 22, admitted to selling THCA products and was also arrested for possession with intent to deliver.
A second arrest was made in Lewisburg at a store on Piercy Drive. A WVABCA agent conducted a compliance check at Lewisburg Tobacco & Vape, where he purchased an illegal THC product classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. The clerk, identified as Khaldoon Saleh Taher Alsaedi, 31, was arrested after admitting he was the individual captured in surveillance photos making the sale.
In a separate case, agents targeted a business located at 118 Taylor Lane in Ronceverte, where another underage agent purchased a vape containing illegal levels of THCA without being asked for ID. The individual who completed the sale, Joseph Awahad Mohamed Algammel, 27, was identified from a photograph provided by WVABCA and taken into custody the following day. A subsequent search of the premises uncovered pre-rolls labeled as containing 35% and 100% THCA, both well above West Virginia’s legal limit.
Two more arrests occurred in the Frankford area at a retail store on Seneca Trail North. Investigators reported that an underage agent successfully purchased a product labeled “Flying Monkey Pre Roll” with a THCA concentration of 42%. This item, like others sold across the county, is illegal under current state law. Officers arrested two individuals at the location: Taksh Pareshbhai Patel, 25, who made the sale, and Anant N. Patel, 38, who arrived at the store later and spoke with investigators. Both were taken into custody after admitting their involvement in store operations.
In West Virginia, THCA products exceeding 0.3% THC concentration fall under Schedule I controlled substances, making their sale without a medical cannabis license a felony.
All six suspects were transported to either the Greenbrier County Magistrate Court or the Southern Regional Jail for processing and arraignment. Charges range from delivery of a controlled substance to possession with intent to deliver and distribution of marijuana. All remain under pretrial supervision pending future court appearances.
Charges are as follows:
Avanibahen Patel, charged with the felony offenses of distributing or selling a hemp-derived cannabinoid product to a person under the age of 21; and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; posted $50,000.00 Cash Only Bond and released.
Mushsen Mohammad, charged with the felony offenses of distributing or selling a hemp-derived cannabinoid product to a person under the age of 21; and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000.00 Cash Only Bond.
Marwan Saleh Al Kaaiti, charged with the felony offense of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000.00 Cash Only Bond.
Joseph Awahad Mohamed Algammel, charged with the felony offenses of distributing or selling a hemp-derived cannabinoid product to a person under the age of 21; and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000.00 Cash Only Bond.
Taksh Pareshbhai Patel, charged with the felony offenses of distributing or selling a hemp-derived cannabinoid product to a person under the age of 21; and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000.00 Cash Only Bond.
Anant Patel, charged with the felony offense of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000.00 Cash Only Bond.
Isaac Bladen, charged with the misdemeanor offenses of Obstructing an Officer (x2) and Disorderly Conduct; posted $2,500 PR Bond and released.
Khaldoon Alsaedi, charged with the felony offense of Deliver of a Controlled Substance and the misdemeanor count of Failure to Maintain Drug Paraphernalia Records; held at Southern Regional Jail on $50,000.00 Cash Only Bond.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed in the coming weeks. Law enforcement agencies have indicated that additional compliance checks are planned across the region as part of a broader effort to curb the illegal sale of cannabis products.
