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By Mike Barnhardt

Enterprise Record

The owners of two vape shops in Davie have been arrested, charged with selling marijuana and violating trademark laws.

Among the charges are selling such products to a minor.

“Our primary goal is to ensure that our children are not exposed to harmful substances,” said Davie Sheriff J.D. Hartman. “These arests send a clear message that our community will not tolerate illegal sales to minors.”

He said the investigation started from community concerns about underage access to tobacco and vaping products.

What officers found during undercover buys and on raids at 601 Tobacco and Vape on Yadkinville Road in Mocksville and Tanglewood Tobacco & Vape in the Tanglewood Crossing Shopping Center in Bermuda Run, were products clearly labeled as containing more THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) than the law allows for CBD products. Some were much higher. Tests proved those claims, Hartman said.

Many of the products were also packaged to look like real candy or cookie items, including using the same name as the original product.

Mohammed Ali Mokktar, 41, of Mocksville, was charged with felony counterfeit trademark, felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver marijuana, selling marijuana, and maintaining a place for controlled substances. He was taken into custody in lieu of a  $45,000 bond.

Salah Nabil Ahmed Mohammed, 24, of Mocksville, was charged with felony counterfeit trademark, felony possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver marijuana, selling marijuana, and selling or delivering a controlled substance to a minor between ages 13 and 16. He was taken into custody in lieu of a $65,000 bond.

Deputies seized hundreds of pieces of evidence as well as more than $90,000 in cash. Due to working with federal and state authorities, the money was seized by the Department of Homeland Security as proceeds of narcotics transactions and is subject to forfeiture.

Additional items seized have been sent to laboratories for testing which may result in additional charges, Hartman said.

“The Davie County Sheriff’s Office is committed to investigating individuals and businesses involved in these types of sales,” he said.

To enhance the investigative ability of the sheriff’s office, two deputies have received training and are sworn as officers of the Anti-Counterfeiting and Trademark Task Force through the N.C. Secretary of State.

On Sept. 23, deputies went to Discount Tobacco and Vape and Cooper Tobacco and Vape in Mocksville. Several items were seized that violate copyright and trademark laws as well as being designed to attract children, Hartman said.The items seized included references to cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny, the Simpsons, Star Wars, as well as being marked as well-known candy such as Skittles.