WEST ORANGE, Texas — The West Orange Police Department conducted an operation at a vape store in West Orange and issued a citation.
WOPD worked with Precinct 2 Constable Jeremiah Gunter and Orange Police Department Narcotics Officers after several complaints about the Vape N More on Edgar Brown Drive selling nicotine products to minors and selling nitrous oxide without a permit, according to a WOPD news release.
Officers were able to confirm that the complaints were true. Investigators found multiple cases of nitrous oxide cartridges, along with liter bottles of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.
They believe that the store was selling nitrous oxide and dispensers knowing that customers would be using it for human consumption, according to the release.
The State of Texas has nitrous oxide as an 'abusable volatile chemical' and requires a permit issued by the State that must be posted somewhere so that it is plainly visible.
Investigators determined that Vape N More did not have a permit anywhere in the store.
The clerk at the store was arrested for the selling tobacco to a minor and failing to post the proper permit, according to the release.
From a WOPD news release:
As a result of several complaints concerning the selling of nicotine products to minors and the selling of Nitrous Oxide, an Abusable Volatile Chemical without a permit, Officers of the West Orange Police Department, assisted by Pct. 2 Constable Jeremiah Gunter and Orange Police Department Narcotics Officers recently conducted an operation at Vape “N” More, located at 3121 Edgar Brown Drive in West Orange, which established confirmation that the complaints were valid.
Investigators identified numerous cases of Nitrous Oxide cartridges, as well as liter bottles of Nitrous Oxide. Investigators believed that the store was selling Nitrous Oxide and dispensers knowing that it would be used to be introduced into the human body. The State of Texas lists Nitrous Oxide as an abusable volatile chemical and requires a permit issued by the State of Texas that must be posted where it is plainly visible. It was determined that no such permit located anywhere in the store.
Officers arrested the clerk at the business for the sale of tobacco to a minor and failure to post proper signage of abusable volatile chemicals.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Also on 12NewsNow.com…
