Henrico Police arrest and charge 8 following multi-jurisdictional vape shop stings
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Eight people are facing drug-related charges after a series of multi-jurisdictional stings on local vape shops by Henrico Police and other local law enforcement agencies found more than 60 pounds of marijuana flower, more than 12 pounds of THC edibles, about $100,000 in cash and multiple firearms and vehicles.
The stings took place Sept. 26 at two vape shops in Henrico and three in Richmond, as well as four residences in Henrico and Chesterfield and a storage unit in Henrico’s West End, according to police, who said they were targeting shops suspected of selling marijuana and other illegal substances.
The Henrico locations involved were The Simpson Smoke Shop at 7037 Staples Mill Road and ZAZA R US at 1838 East Nine Mile Road, as well as a storage unit on Springfield Road.
The eight people arrested were:
• Omar atef Falah Aljeradat, 31, of Henrico;
• Adham A. Jaraddat, 24, of Henrico;
• Ahlam Abedelnoor Jaraddat, 42, of Henrico;
• Shams Khaled Mohamed, 24, of Henrico;
• Ahmad Mahmoud Ail Barqawi, 22, of Henrico;
• Nashwan Mosleh Mozeb, 34, of Henrico;
• Aaliyah Shamari-Lynette Gordon, 23, of Henrico;
• SeanJanae Marie Crosswhite, 23, of North Chesterfield.
“This crime trend is not unique to Henrico County, but rather a nationwide issue,” said Henrico County Chief of Police Eric D. English. “Our sworn personnel across many units are heavily involved in finding ways to not only prevent these crimes from happening but enforcing the law and charging those responsible.”
Charges include transporting more than five pounds of marijuana into the commonwealth, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance. One person remains at large, and further indictments are pending, according to police.
Although recreational marijuana use is legal in Virginia, the sale of marijuana for recreational use is not. Henrico Police officials routinely investigate complaints related to the alleged illegal sale of the drug and other drugs, working in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, officials said.
“One of our biggest concerns is our youth coming into possession of this product,” English said. “We do have cases, dating back to 2024, where minors have broken into a vape shop, stole illicit product, and then sold it to their peers.”
In Henrico, vape shops are not permitted to locate or operate within 1,000 feet of a school or 2,000 feet of a public park or existing vape shop.
In August, Henrico officials created a task force to address what County Manager John Vithoulkas called "a public health emergency" related to vape shops popping up in the county – in some cases without proper authorization.
The county defines vape shops as businesses that dedicate 15% or more of display space to vapes, e-cigarettes, or other similar products. That 15% threshold avoids applying restrictions to convenience stores such as 7-Eleven or Wawa, according to Henrico Attorney Andrew Newby.
Henrico counted more than 70 such shops in August and promised then to examine each one of them in great detail.
Some vape shops have been masking as either convenience stores or tobacco shops by lying on applications to the county, to Fairfield District Supervisor Roscoe Cooper III. Some have even been operating without a business license or zoning confirmation. And others have avoided county regulations by renting a property, with landlords sometimes unaware that the business is skirting county laws.
To provide a tip about a business selling illegal products, email police@henrico.gov or submit your information anonymously through Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or by using P3tips.com.
