On 16 July 2026 just after 2 p.m., the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office with support from the District Attorney’s Office executed a search warrant at Speed Mart Liquors at 16972 State Route 111 in Van Buren County.[1] The joint operation by the sheriff’s office and the District Attorney’s Office ended with charges for the store owner in Spencer.[2] The store’s owners now face drug possession with intent to sell or deliver charges, described as possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver.[2]

During the raid deputies found 538 cannabis/THC pre-rolls and 26 THC vapes containing up to 50% THC.[1] Officers also found 120 units of the synthetic kratom substance known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, which is not counted as cannabis.[1] Deputies also seized $20,307 in U.S. currency believed to be suspected proceeds and a 2021 BMW X3 used as the conveyance to further the illegal activity.[1]

An extensive investigation into the marketing of illegal cannabis/THC products led to the warrant and seizures.[1] The sheriff’s office said the effort took thousands of dollars of illegal substances out of the community and helped make the community safer.[1]