On Wednesday, June 2, 2025, the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force performed a felony arrest operation in Upshur County after a year-long, multi-county investigation in reference to the complaints of local vape shops selling THC products to persons under the age of 21, according to a press release.
The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Buckhannon Police Department and WV State Police assisted in the arrests. The following people were charged with felony offenses:
- Thomas D. Thacker of Buckhannon was charged with three counts of delivery of Delta 8 (contains THC) to minors under the age of 21.
- Larissa R. Bennett of Buckhannon was charged with two counts of delivery of Delta 8 (contains THC) to minors under the age of 21.
- Fowaz M. Mohamed of New York was charged with five counts of delivery of Delta 8 (contains THC) to minors under the age of 21.
Outstanding warrants were also issued for the following individuals:
- Haidara Ahmed of Mauritania, Africa was charged with one count of delivery of Sativa Flower to minors under the age of 21.
- Khaled Abuhashem of New York was charged with three counts of delivery of Delta 8 (contains THC) to minors under the age of 21.
- Yuosef Saleh Alis Ahmed of New York was charged with one count of delivery of Sativa Flower to minors under the age of 21.
- Loni J. Scott of Buckhannon was charged with two counts of delivery of Delta 8 (contains THC) to minors under the age of 21.
The press release states that the offenses are violations of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, Chapter, 19-12E-12(q) of the West Virginia Criminal Code.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is comprised of members of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Buckhannon Police Department, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Elkins Police Department and West Virginia State Police.
