Latest news with #DavidSergi
CBS News
23-04-2025
- CBS News
$4.8 million, vehicles, jewelry and firearms seized in North Texas smoke shop raid
A joint law enforcement operation resulted in the seizure of vehicles, jewelry, firearms, and $4.8 million, following a probe into alleged illegal drug distribution through businesses named Sky Rise and ZRD Smoke Shops, officials announced Wednesday. The investigation, spearheaded by the Texas Department of Public Safety, involved law enforcement agencies from Dallas and Kaufman counties. Attorney claims shops operate legally under Texas hemp laws Forney Police Department The seizures occurred on Monday. On Wednesday, an attorney representing the businesses said the smoke shops are "federally legal hemp small businesses targeted by questionable police actions." "The business owner has consistently demonstrated a commitment to transparency and compliance," said David Sergi of San Marcos-based Sergi and Associates, in a statement. "He has offered to share his books and tax records to show that he is operating a lawful enterprise and has always been willing to cooperate with law enforcement. As a respected leader in the Texas hemp industry, he has helped set the standard for accountability and responsible business practices." Sergi said Sky Rise and ZRD Smoke Shops are "fully licensed retailers" selling legal hemp products following Texas law. "All products have been tested by reputable, independent laboratories, and the businesses hold certificates of analysis confirming their compliance with legal THC limits," Sergi said. Forney police discuss lengthy investigation leading to raid Meanwhile, the Forney Police Department said the raid followed a "lengthy investigation into the illegal distribution of controlled substances through multiple businesses in the area, including the Sky Rise Smoke Shop in Forney." Forney Police Department No additional details or potential suspects are being immediately released to "protect the integrity of the process," the Kaufman County District Attorney's Office said. In addition to the Texas Department of Public Safety, participating agencies included the Kaufman County Street Crimes Unit, the Terrell Police Department, the Forney Police Department, the Kaufman County Precinct 2 Constable's Office, and the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office. The investigation is continuing, officials said.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas lawmakers want to ban all THC products, but advocates urge them to focus on regulation
The Brief Some Texas lawmakers want to ban all THC products in Texas The Texas Senate has already passed a bill to do just that, SB 3 Industry advocates are urging lawmakers to focus on regulation rather than prohibition AUSTIN, Texas - Lawmakers are pushing to ban all THC products in Texas, but industry advocates are urging them to focus on regulation rather than prohibition. RELATED: Texas Senate passes bill to ban THC products What they're saying "This is a poison in our public," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. Lt. Gov. Patrick said 8,300 stores in Texas sell THC, and they've made about $8 billion. "They used a loophole to get around a bill that the legislature passed in 2019," Lt. Gov. Patrick said. The law allowed for the commercialization of hemp. Because of that, many shops started selling Delta 8 and 9 products as well as other chemical variations that are more potent. "It's been marketed as something that is safe and legal, and it's anything but," Lubbock State Senator Charles Perry said. "Quality of those products is not monitored, it goes from 30% on average, all the way up to 80% THC inside of it and you don't know what that pot is being mixed with when it was put in there." Senator Perry said he's determined to shut it down. He filed Senate Bill 3. It would ban THC and nearly all other cannabinoids. It would also require someone to be at least 21 years old to purchase CBD, would create harsher penalties related to consumable hemp products, and marketing and advertising would be limited as to not appeal to children. "Intentional mislabeling on many products have led to accidental overdoses and increased addiction, with proven research showing that these products carry many long-term health risks, particularly to our young people," Allen Police Department Chief Steve Dye said. The other side On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Patrick walked into a store in Austin that had sent the nearby high school administrators a letter warning students not to trespass in the store. "I asked them to show me the product, and he said, 'well, here's our one gummy that's 750mg,'" Lt. Gov. Patrick said. The attorney for the hemp store, David Sergi, said that's not true and products with more than 50mg per serving are not available in the store. "Lieutenant Governor Patrick came into Happy Cactus, our client's store, and saw that we do things correctly. He learned that we had sent a no-trespass letter to Crockett High School because we didn't want their students in our store. He also learned that their students no longer attempt to come into our store. Happy Cactus does things right like most of our industry," said David Sergi. "I speak on behalf of the growers, manufacturers and consumers. All SB 3 will do is kill an industry that is thriving and take away jobs," CEO Drops of Life CBD, Fresh Grown Texas Jake Garry said. What's next Senate Bill 3 has already passed in the senate, but faces opposition from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Meredith Aldis, statements from Texas lawmakers, and previous coverage
