State and federal law enforcement agencies last month seized over 7,636 illegal cannabinoid and nicotine products from Arkansas retailers, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.
Conducted as a joint operation between the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the raids uncovered 314 hemp THC products, including vaporizers, 57 THC-infused edibles, and about three pounds of suspected cannabis or hemp flower. Agents also seized over 5,600 illegal vaporizers, over 1,200 “e-liquid” products, and 411 untaxed tobacco products.
Officials said that the raids targeted 28 shops in central Arkansas, northwest Arkansas, and Hot Springs.
DFA spokesperson Scott Hardin said the agents were “coming in unannounced with the knowledge that these places had illicit or non-compliant products.”
“We were proud to partner with the DEA on this effort to protect Arkansans from dangerous, unregulated products. Our agents continually educate permit holders regarding what is and isn’t allowed. Ignorance of the law is not an acceptable defense. We have thousands of permit holders committed to compliance and will not allow a handful of rogue actors to endanger the public.” — DFA Regulatory Enforcement Director David Potter, in a statement
Hardin told the Democrat-Gazette that the raids were planned using information officials had gathered during unannounced and sometimes undercover visits to the shops.
