North Carolina Joins Other States in Illegal Vape Enforcement

In January 2026, the Stokes County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina announced the results of “Operation Found Out,” An investigation into four vape shops that resulted in 53 pounds of marijuana, psilocybin products, and over $18,000 in cash being recovered. The investigation came after law enforcement agents were notified that six minors became sick after purchasing THC-infused gummies from a local vape store. However, for Rich Marianos, former assistant director for the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, these large investigations are nothing new, and are actually a part of a nationwide enforcement trend.

In a February interview with the Carolina Journal, Marianos explained that criminal vaping has become an epidemic in the United States, and the ones who are impacted the most are children. “It’s marketed as something that’s cool, flavorful—more like a treat,” he said. The vast majority of these products are not federally regulated by the FDA, and many may not know the difference between illegal and legal vapes, as recent data shows that 86% of all e-cigarette sales are illegal.

Nationwide, states are taking action to stop the use and sale of illegal vapes. Recently, South Carolina became the 15th state to pass a vape registry law, which will crack down on illegal vapes and the criminal enterprises that fuel them. Vape registries also require stricter inspections before licensing, and would help easily identify unauthorized products. “If they continue to engage in criminal activity, they should be subject to criminal prosecution,” he said. As more states begin to lean more heavily into enforcement, North Carolina has the opportunity to join the nationwide trend and give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent the illegal vape epidemic from spreading further.