Nine people arrested during a series of East Texas smoke shop raids will no longer face criminal charges after prosecutors declined to try the cases.[1] Van Zandt County District Attorney Tonda Curry explained in a letter that dismissing the cases was the best option for all parties when considering the risk, time and cost of a trial.[1] The decision resolves criminal cases connected to the investigation, which included the seizure of thousands of suspected illegal THC products.[1]

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office announced the conclusion of a widescale operation targeting more than a dozen East Texas smoke shops, resulting in the arrests of nine people, the seizure of hundreds of pounds of drugs and nearly $5 million in U.S. currency and other assets.[2] On 22 September 2026 the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated and executed search warrants at 13 Scorpion Smoke Shop locations, targeting the illegal sale and distribution of THC and hemp products.[2] Officers seized 11,468 suspected THC products, 5,475 grams of marijuana, 33,455 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, 23 vehicles and nearly $5 million in currency and other assets.[2] The $5 million in seized assets is being returned to their owners.[1]

According to jail records, the nine were arrested on warrants charging them with money laundering valued at more than $150,000 but less than $30,000.[2] They were also charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 2 weighing less than 400 grams.[2] David Sergi, an attorney for the individuals arrested, said potential changes to state law could have assisted the defense if the prosecution had moved forward.[1] The dismissals coincide with a reported change in state leadership, with Democrat Vikki Goodwin, who opposes an outright ban on hemp-derived THC products, due to take office as lieutenant governor in January.[1] Sergi said the state is now at a policy point where it need not rely on technical definitions and can look to the legislature to resolve the question.[1]