A multi-agency sweep of four Oceanside smoke shops on Thursday pulled more than 100 pounds of merchandise off the shelves, with officers saying the products are suspected of containing illicit intoxicants. Investigators identified four people linked to the operation who are expected to face state fines and other penalties.
The coordinated sweep brought together the Oceanside Police Department, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to NBC 7 San Diego. Authorities reported seizing an array of products believed to contain kratom, psilocybin and THC, removing merchandise from four separate shops during the operation.
“Vaping devices threaten our public safety,” DEA Special Agent in Charge James Nunnallee said. “Oftentimes, youth don't know what is hiding in these devices,” Nunnallee told NBC 7 San Diego.
What investigators say they found
Authorities described the haul as more than 100 pounds of merchandise packaged and displayed for retail sale, with many items marketed to look like standard vape or wellness products. Police said the goods were being sold illegally at the four businesses and that the case remains open while evidence is tested, logged and analyzed.
Part of a wider kratom and vape crackdown
State and local agencies have been ramping up enforcement against concentrated kratom and related 7‑OH products following health warnings and reported deaths, and several California cities have moved to ban or restrict kratom sales. SFGATE has documented recent state and local actions, and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration keeps a public list of seizure notices for smoke‑shop and tobacco products across the state. CDTFA's notices show enforcement has hit numerous retailers in recent months.
What this means locally
Oceanside officials framed the raid as a move to protect residents, particularly teenagers and young adults, from unregulated or mislabeled products sold from neighborhood storefronts. The department said it intends to pursue administrative penalties and any criminal charges that may result as lab testing and the broader investigation continue.
Police said the probe remains active and are asking anyone with information to contact the Oceanside Police Department while officers continue to process the seized items and determine next steps.
