Twenty-three stores in Rutherford County have been padlocked after undercover agents allegedly bought candy that contained a form of marijuana.
Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh - in a press conference - announced his office along with Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne Police, the TBI, DEA and FBI - conducted raids Monday:
Fitzhugh says Cannabidiol, which is also called CBD, is an illegal drug being sold in the form of liquids used in vapors, gummy bears and items that look like candy:
Indictments were issued on 21 people accused of selling the illegal products during "Operation Candy Crush."
Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh and Smyrna Police Chief Kevin Arnold said sheriff's narcotics detectives and Smyrna Police launched the investigation last year following complaints from parents and advertisements about the products.
Acting in an undercover capacity, detectives from both departments bought products containing cannabidiol, (ca-na-be-dial) also known as CBD, and other synthetic drugs in 23 stores in Rutherford County.
Sheriff fitzhugh noted, "We feel these stores are marketing these items toward minors. These items can commonly be confused by a child as candy and are illegal."
The sheriff add the investigation was launched after several parents complained about the products being sold in stores.
District Attorney General Jennings Jones says he's not sure where the individual products were coming from that were being sold in stores:
Smyrna Police Chief Kevin Arnold says the thing making this dangerous is the appearance of the items with CBD. They're being made to look like candy:
Arnold, who is also president of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, says in a recent meeting with the TBI, this was brought to their attention:
We have a list of the businesses shuttered on our website at WGNSradio.com, keyword CBD.
1 STORE IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JURISDICTION:
Last Stop Market 6858 Lascassas Pike
6 STORES IN SMYRNA POLICE JURISDICTION:
Kwik Sak 1219 Hazelwood Drive, TN
Vape & Smoke 901 Rock Springs Road
Stop & Shop Tobacco & Beer 901 Rock Springs Road
One Stop Shop Tobacco & Beer 1872 Almaville Road
Magical Vapors 504 East Enon Springs Road
Cloud 9 and 105 Jefferson Street
4 STORES IN LA VERGNE POLICE JURISDICTION:
Waldron Market 606 Waldron Road
Family Market Discount Tobacco and Beer 546 Waldron Road
Tobacco Brew & Chew 5104 Waldron Road
La Vergne Vapor, 5234 Murfreesboro Road
12 STORES IN MURFREESBORO POLICE JURISDICTION:
Vapesboro 1675 Middle Tennessee Boulevard
Stop-N-Go 1624B New Salem Highway
Stop-N-Shop 490 Andrews Drive
Enchanted Planet 109 East Lytle Street
T&B Tobacco & Beer 5524 N.W. Broad Street
Quick Stop Discount Tobacco and Beer 1722 S. Rutherford Boulevard
99 Cents Discount Tobacco 3325 Memorial Boulevard
Kaleidoscope, 3325 Memorial Boulevard
Y&H Discount Tobacco and Beer 2075 Lascassas Pike
A&M Tobacco & Beer 2075 Lascassas Pike
Kaleidoscope 2992 S. Church St.
Magical Vapors 517 W. Main St.
