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Berks County Smoke Shops Raided, Owners Charged with Illegal Sales

  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2026/02 .. ps-raided-owners-charged-with-illegal-sales.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, February 9th 2026 at 17:05 GMT by WFMZ-TV
      Locales: Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES

READING, Pa. -- A wave of raids across Berks County smoke shops has culminated in significant charges against multiple businesses and individuals, revealing a concerning trend of illegal synthetic substance sales. The Pennsylvania State Police, in conjunction with the Berks County District Attorney's Office, executed the operations, seizing over 200 pounds of suspected illicit materials and approximately $50,000 in cash. This isn't merely a case of regulatory oversight; it represents a serious public health and safety issue that officials say has been brewing for some time.

The investigation, which began in October 2023, utilized undercover operations to gather evidence against the targeted establishments. This suggests a prolonged and deliberate effort to build a solid case before taking action, indicating the complexity of tracking and proving the sale of these often-disguised substances. The District Attorney's Office has been tight-lipped about the specific types of synthetic compounds seized, citing ongoing forensic analysis. However, industry experts suggest these often mimic the effects of cannabis or other controlled substances, but with potentially dangerous and unpredictable chemical compositions.

Those Facing Charges:

• Elite Smoke Shop & Vape (1830 North 5th Street, Reading): Owner Mohamad Sajjad, 34, of Philadelphia, faces multiple counts, including possession with intent to deliver, and criminal conspiracy. The inclusion of "Vape" in the business name raises questions about the potential sale of illicit vape products alongside the synthetic substances. Authorities are investigating if vape products were also adulterated or contained illegal additives.
• Smoke Dreams (1415 North 9th Street, Reading): Owner Ziad Naji, 42, of Philadelphia, is facing similar charges as Elite Smoke Shop & Vape. This pattern suggests a coordinated effort among these businesses to distribute these illegal products.
• The Smoking Spot (1225 North 13th Street, Reading): Owner Mohammed Hamad, 31, of Philadelphia, is also implicated, facing charges related to possession with intent to deliver and criminal conspiracy.
• Smoke It Up (2421 North Grand Avenue, Reading): Abdullah Alkattan, 32, of Philadelphia, the owner, is facing charges mirroring those of the other establishments.

The fact that all four owners are residents of Philadelphia raises questions regarding a potential centralized distribution network originating from the city. Law enforcement is investigating whether these Berks County locations were merely outposts for a larger operation, and if so, the extent of its reach.

Public Health Concerns & The Rise of Synthetic Substances

The sale of synthetic cannabinoids and other synthetic substances poses a significant risk to public health. Unlike natural cannabis, synthetic versions are often created in unregulated labs, leading to inconsistent potency and potentially dangerous additives. These substances have been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including severe anxiety, psychosis, seizures, and even death. Emergency room visits related to synthetic cannabinoid exposure have been on the rise nationally, particularly among young adults.

"These aren't harmless alternatives," stated a spokesperson for the Berks County District Attorney's Office. "These are dangerous chemicals that are often misrepresented as something they are not. Consumers have no idea what they're actually ingesting."

Local Impact and Community Response The crackdown has sent ripples through the Reading community. Residents have expressed both relief that authorities are addressing the issue and concern about the potential for further illicit activity. Local advocacy groups are calling for increased education and awareness about the dangers of synthetic substances, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

The Berks County District Attorney's Office encourages anyone with information regarding illegal activity to contact the Pennsylvania State Police at 610-373-8100 or their office at 610-438-2111. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities anticipate further developments in the coming weeks. They are also working with neighboring counties to determine if similar illegal activity is occurring in other areas. [ https://www.wfmz.com/topic/news/local/berks-county/ ] provides further updates on local news from the region.