PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia Representative Amen Brown is leading the effort to crack down on illegal smoke shops in the city.<\/p>\n
He says many of these types of stores in his district are engaging in unlawful activities, selling drugs and out-of-state cigarettes. He’s intent on sending a clear message.<\/p>\n
“We don’t need establishments like this just popping up overnight, over the weekend with a grand opening sign saying come buy this weed,” said Brown.<\/p>\n
Brown said Friday morning, after days of an undercover operation, the 4026 Convenience Store was raided in West Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
“It’s not the first time it was hit, but first time we successfully hit it. It had guns, and drugs and cash,” said Brown.<\/p>\n
Brown says one of his biggest concerns is the young customers.<\/p>\n
“More importantly, they were serving the children; the kind of marijuana they were selling is contaminated with multiple deadly pathogens,” said Brown.<\/p>\n
Rep. Brown says so far, the operation, in partnership with Philadelphia Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, has shut down 13 similar smoke shops in the last three months.<\/p>\n
Neighbors tell Action News the 4026 site has been problematic for years.<\/p>\n
“It’s 24 hours. People just pull up all day, every day,” said Cynthia Ebo. “I knew it had to be something.”<\/p>\n
Brown says the team has identified 30 smoke shops they plan to pursue within his district.<\/p>\n
Police confirmed there was a narcotics operation at the locations but didn’t reveal if there were any arrests or pending charges against owners.<\/p>\n
Action News made multiple attempts to reach the owner of the convenience store for comment, but we are still waiting to hear back.<\/p>\n
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