TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) – Multiple vape and smoke shops in Temple and Belton are under investigation after lab tests revealed several products contained illegal levels of THC, despite being advertised as legal under federal hemp laws, according to police.
Authorities say the Temple Police Department and Belton Police Department executed evidentiary search warrants at multiple vape and smoke shop locations as part of an ongoing investigation.
The investigation began in January 2025 following tips from concerned citizens and officers, according to officials. Over time, it expanded to include assistance from the FBI, Waco Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Bell County Sheriff’s Office, and Belton Police Department, working alongside Temple police to purchase and test products from local stores.
Investigators reported that several products were mislabeled and falsely claimed to comply with the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill. Items purchased by Temple officers were tested by the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab and NMS Laboratories, an approved DPS lab. Belton police used Armstrong Laboratories to analyze their samples.
According to authorities, test results showed some products on store shelves were inaccurately labeled and not in compliance with federal hemp regulations.
Investigators said every shop tested had products referred to as “flower” and “flower” pre-rolls that exceeded the legal THC limit of 0.3% and tested positive for marijuana, making them noncompliant with the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill. Additionally, several shops advertising THC-A products were found to be selling products containing Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol.
On Friday, June 13, around 10:30 a.m., Temple and Belton police executed multiple warrants at the following locations:
- 100 block of S. 25th Street
- 400 block of N. 3rd Street
- 4300 block of S. 31st Street
- 6500 block of W. Adams Avenue
- 5700 block of W. Adams Avenue
- 2800 block of W. Adams Avenue
- 2600 block of N. Main Street in Belton
Units from the Temple Police Department involved in the operation included the Special Investigations Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, Crime Scene Investigators, Patrol Division, Training Division, and the SWAT team. Around 65 officers participated in the operation.
The case remains under investigation, and no additional information is being released at this time.
Police also advised that several locations in the area have been identified as falsely advertising their products as containing legal levels of THC. Certified letters will be sent to these businesses, informing the owners that their products were tested and confirmed to contain illegal amounts of THC.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477.
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