On Thursday, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office announced the seizure of over 73 pounds of illegal cannabis and thousands of untaxed tobacco products.
Authorities say the seizure was part of an ongoing operation targeting businesses that illegally offer these drugs.
“We’re seeing smoke shops that are weed shops marketing to children, selling tobacco to children, selling unlicensed tobacco to children, and causing harm to the community—and that has to stop,” said Sheriff Sam Cogen.
Over 73 pounds of illegal cannabis were recovered during the search of a smoke shop in Baltimore. According to authorities, the most recent enforcement action happened on June 1 at a business in the 4700 block of Gwynn Oak Avenue.
The investigation began when an undercover sheriff’s deputy made a controlled purchase of suspected cannabis from an employee at the establishment.
Following the purchase, investigators issued a search warrant at the business and recovered nine pounds of suspected cannabis, as well as 17,794 tobacco items.
Marvin Morales, 25, was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis with intent to distribute. A second suspect was detained on an outstanding warrant for first-degree rape from June 2020.
In a recent enforcement operation involving many retail stores, police recovered 64 pounds of suspected cannabis goods and discovered numerous illegal tobacco sales to minors.
The activities resulted in several penalties, license violations, merchandise seizures, and administrative actions. “Our office has received numerous complaints from residents regarding illegal smoke shops and businesses that openly violate Maryland law,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “These businesses frequently operate without sufficient monitoring, sell products unlawfully and to minors, and contribute to quality-of-life issues in areas around our city. I’d want to thank Sheriff Sam Cogen, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission, the Baltimore Police Department, and City Council President Zeke Cohen for their leadership and collaboration in tackling this issue. We will work together to hold violators accountable, protect customers and citizens, and guarantee that businesses in Baltimore operate legally and responsibly.”
“I’m grateful for the partnership of BPD, the Sheriff’s Office, prosecutors, and, most importantly, our residents as we work to address the illegal sale of cannabis at our city’s smoke shops,” stated Mayor Brandon Scott. “We will not tolerate individuals and businesses breaking the law and causing harm in our communities.”
Officials say undercover deputies will continue to pursue unlawful sales this summer.
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