Union County vape and THC shops are under the microscope after a multi-week sweep in Monroe turned up a haul that deputies say includes more than 5.5 pounds of tianeptine, the so-called "gas station heroin." Investigators also reported seizing over 10 pounds of high-THC marijuana and roughly $100,000 worth of allegedly counterfeit or copyright-infringing THC products. Deputies said they conducted compliance checks at 21 retailers, and charges are pending in several cases. Photos released by the sheriff’s office show edible products packaged to mimic name-brand candy, which investigators say could be especially tempting to kids. The probe, they added, is far from over.
What Deputies Found During The Sweep
According to WBTV, the enforcement push led to the seizure of more than 5.5 pounds of tianeptine, more than 10 pounds of suspected marijuana that deputies say tested above the state’s legal THC limits, and an estimated $100,000 in counterfeit or copyright-infringing THC products. Those totals, the station reports, came after compliance checks at 21 shops across Union County, with photos supplied by the sheriff’s office. Deputies said multiple retailers were involved, although they have not publicly named any businesses while the investigations continue.
Who Assisted In The Operation
The Union County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook that the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Monroe Police Department all took part in the checks. The agency used the post to urge parents to stay alert to THC-related products that may be packaged in ways that appeal to minors. The sheriff’s office noted that charges are pending in several cases and emphasized that the investigation remains active.
Why Tianeptine Is A Public-Health Concern
Federal health officials have repeatedly warned that tianeptine can trigger opioid-like effects, severe adverse reactions and even death, and the FDA advises consumers to avoid products containing the drug. North Carolina moved late last year to classify tianeptine as a Schedule II controlled substance, a shift reported by WXII, and the FDA has issued guidance outlining the risks associated with these products. That combination of new state restrictions and federal health warnings is fueling the crackdown on retailers that, according to investigators, are selling unregulated or mislabeled items.
State Rules For Hemp And THC Products
Under state law, hemp and hemp-derived products that contain no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC are excluded from North Carolina’s definition of marijuana. Marijuana itself, along with scheduled synthetic drugs, remains illegal under state statutes. The change was written into North Carolina General Assembly Session Law 2022-32 (S.B. 455), which permanently removed hemp from the controlled-substances definition and created the regulatory line that deputies referenced during the operation. Retailers selling hemp-derived products still must follow testing, labeling and other requirements, or they can face enforcement.
What Comes Next
Sheriff Eddie Cathey said the department’s "foremost priority is the safety of our community, especially our children," and deputies are asking anyone with information about illegal sales to contact authorities as the probe continues. WBTV reports that charges are pending in several cases and that investigators are still working follow-up leads. The sheriff’s office has not yet identified which stores may ultimately face charges and said more details will roll out as the cases move forward.
