FAIRBORN — Investigators say complaints about a local smoke shop led them to raid the property on Friday, but the owner says they will be open tomorrow.
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Investigators had been out at Bud City Dispo in Fairborn since at least noon on Friday.
Part of the parking lot was blocked off with police tape as investigators were seen carrying dozens of boxes out of the smoke shop.
Investigators on the scene told News Center 7 that the investigation was triggered by public complaints. News Center 7 later learned the investigation was launched after a citizen called Bud City a “loophole business” at a September 2 Fairborn City Council meeting.
They’re investigating whether the store is selling illegal amounts of marijuana.
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News Center 7 heard from people who got the advertisement from the smoke shop offering free joints and were concerned that marijuana was being sold illegally.
“We technically operate under the 2018 Farm Bill, so all of our products here are legally classified as hemp products,” Jesse Burns, General Manager of Bud City, told News Center 7 in August.
As shown on News Center 7 at 5:00, people were shocked to see police cars in the parking lot.
“We don’t see a lot of traffic in and out of here,” Larry Nott, of Fairborn, said. “At least I don’t.”
Nott said he walks past the smoke shop every day. He told News Center 7 that police must know something was going on in the store to carry out a detailed search warrant.
“I think it’s good that they’re really cracking down on this stuff over here, you know?” he said.
Almost a year ago, investigators also raided Bud City’s location in Chillicothe. The co-owner told News Center 7 that nothing happened after that search and that the shop is still operating. He’s expecting the same outcome from the Fairborn location.
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