A Jacksonville business owner is facing felony charges following a multi-month investigation by the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Division.

Mohamed Saleh, 30, of Greenville, has been charged with felony trafficking opium or heroin, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule II controlled substance, felony possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana and felony maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for controlled substances.

He was also charged with three counts of failure to superintend an ABC-permitted business, three counts of possession of adulterant intended to defraud a drug or alcohol screening test, four counts of illegal sale of glass pipes or splitters and two counts of allowing violations on an ABC-licensed premises.

The investigation began in December when ALE special agents conducted a compliance inspection at Prince 2 Tobacco, which is located at 1796 Gum Branch Road in Jacksonville and owned by Saleh.

During the inspection, agents identified glass tubes being sold without the required purchase log, as well as detoxification products commonly marketed to circumvent drug screenings.

The findings prompted a broader investigation during which agents confirmed that Saleh owns and operates multiple establishments throughout eastern North Carolina.

In January and February, ALE agents conducted additional inspections at another business owned by Saleh, E Z Pass Tobacco, located at 701 Phillips Road in Kinston. During the inspections, agents observed the sale of glass tubes, nitrous oxide products and liquid kratom shots, an alcoholic beverage not approved by the N.C. ABC Commission.

In March, ALE assisted the Kinston Police Department with a search warrant operation targeting the sale of unlawful THC products at several tobacco and vape retailers in Lenoir County, including E Z Pass Tobacco.

The investigation culminated on March 17 during a follow-up inspection at the Prince 2 Tobacco location in Jacksonville, where agents seized a product containing tianeptine, a schedule II controlled substance, along with suspected THC products.

Subsequent testing confirmed the THC products contained 5.9% Delta-9 THC, significantly exceeding the legal limit, according to ALE.

ALE agents then executed a search warrant at Saleh’s home, 4110 Countrydown Drive in Greenville, where he was then arrested.