Two Virginia Beach smoke shops are under investigation after a police raid last week turned up illegal marijuana and synthetic drug products. The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) executed search warrants on March 14 at shops located in the 5400 and 3600 blocks of Virginia Beach Blvd.
According to the VBPD, officers found raw marijuana, marijuana products, and synthetic cannabinoids inside the shops. All items were seized, and the investigation is still active.
Police say the issue centers around products that exceed Virginia’s legal limit of 0.3% THC content. Once a hemp or THCA product goes over that threshold, it’s classified as marijuana under state law and becomes illegal to sell.
That’s not all. VBPD pointed out that selling hemp or tobacco products to anyone under 21 is also against the law—and stores are required to check for valid ID.
In a statement, the department connected the illegal inventory to a wider pattern of crime. “We’ve seen a rise in burglaries at smoke shops, and in many cases, it’s tied to illegal THC products,” the department said. “These items don’t just break the law—they attract more criminal activity.”
Police emphasized that enforcement efforts will continue, both to crack down on unlawful sales and to deter related crimes. “We’re committed to keeping our community safe for residents and businesses,” the department added.
No arrests have been announced yet, and VBPD hasn’t released the names of the shops involved.