Storm Lake IA, (Northwestiowanow.com) According to a press release from the Storm Lake Police Department. In August of 2024 the department launched an investigation into complaints regarding nonconforming products being sold at a value hemp and vape establishments in Storm Lake.

After a 2-month investigation Storm Lake Police allege that Storm Lake Vape located at 609 Lake Ave and smoke and R Smoke Plus located at 1417 North Lake Ave, offered for sale and purchase illegal hemp products.

The Iowa State Department of Health and Human Services Bureau Cannabis Regulation and the Storm Lake Police Department on September 20th, 2024, executed search warrants at both establishments. During the search warrants police allege they located numerous hemp products for sale at both locations which were illegal and or non-conforming and approximately seized 100 illegal hemp items from both establishments.

Storm Lake police alleged that our smoke plus did not possess a consumable hemp license with the state of Iowa and had consumable hemp products for sale.

As a result of the investigation charges were filed against 57-year-old Mohammed Mahmoud of Storm Lake. Mahmoud was charged with three counts of hemp inhalation, a serious misdemeanor and on October 11, 2024, surrendered himself to Storm Lake police. Mahmoud was booked into the Buena vista county jail where he was held on $3000 bond.

31-year-old Lafi Alaqrabawi I would Lakeville MN was also charged with one count of hemp inhalation a serious misdemeanor and one count for the sale of consumable hemp product failure to register a serious misdemeanor and on October 17th, 2024, Alaqrabawi surrounded him to solve the storm lake police and was booked into the university county jail where he was held on $2000.

 

The Storm Lake Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of regulation and the Buena Vista County Attorney’s office