WAYNESBORO – Police in Waynesboro seized 1,081 vaping cartridges containing THC on Tuesday in a drug bust where $46,000 in cash was found, along with a loaded AR-15 rifle and other drugs.
Three men were arrested.
At a press conference held Wednesday at the Waynesboro Police Department, Capt. Kelly Walker said members of the SWAT team and the Special Operations Division served a warrant the previous day at 405 James Avenue.
The warrant was based on a tip from the Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement Task Force concerning a suspect wanted out of Virginia Beach who was possibly trafficking drugs through the mail, Walker said.
When police made entry into the residence, one suspect tried to flee through a backdoor but was immediately caught by perimeter units, Walker said. Two others suspects were found in the home.
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„Although both suspects had firearms within feet of them and readily accessible, they both chose to surrender when confronted by officers,” Walker said.
Along with the rifle and a handgun, police seized:
- $46,389 in cash
- 1,081 vaping pins, each containing one gram of 90 percent pure THC
- 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana
- A 1/2 ounce of psychedelic mushrooms
- 1 1/2 grams of „dab” refined marijuana
- Five MDMA „Ecstasy” tablets
Walker said the seized vaping cartridges were the „Dank” brand that typically sell for $35 each, giving them a street value of about $37,000.
Julian K. Tracey-Rucker, 35, of Waynesboro, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to sell more than a 1/2 ounce of marijuana but less than five pounds, and possession of a firearm while attempting to distribute more than a pound of marijuana. Walker said he was the suspect wanted in Virginia Beach.
Two Waynesboro brothers — Alex R. Copeland, 25, and Kendric Copeland, 24 – are charged with possession with intent to sell more than a 1/2 ounce of marijuana but less than five pounds, and possession of a firearm while attempting to distribute more than a pound of marijuana.
All three men have been jailed.
The bust comes after a nationwide outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarette products and cartridge use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC said it doesn’t know the specific cause of the lung injuries, according to its website. „The investigation has not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges) or substance that is linked to all cases,” the CDC said.
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