Texas Smoke Shop Owners Sue DEA Over ‘Intimidation And Bullying’ Tactics In Raid Of Legal Retail Store
A legal dispute has erupted in Allen, Texas, where cannabis shop owners and their advocates are taking a stand against local and federal law enforcement, claiming their rights were violated during recent police raids.
This lawsuit, filed by attorney David Sergi on Oct. 24, represents Sabhie Khan, a manager of Allen Smoke and Vape, and members of the Hemp Industry Leaders of Texas, following an August raid led by the Allen Police Department with the support of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
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Sergi condemned the raids as “fishing expeditions,” saying “the DEA attempted to intimidate and bully these family businesses selling legal hemp,” Lonestar Live reported.
He contends that law enforcement’s actions crossed a line, disregarding Texas’s hemp regulations and constitutional protections. Under Texas law, cannabis products with 0.3% delta-9 THC or less qualify as hemp, making them lawful within the state.
Raids And Arrests Spark Lawsuit
The incident that sparked the lawsuit occurred on Aug. 27, when Allen Police, collaborating with federal agencies, searched several shops, arresting Khan. The lawsuit alleges he was charged with a …