NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Police have shut down three vape shops in Newport News after a raid that allegedly uncovered pounds of marijuana and other drugs.

Happy Smoke on Jefferson Avenue — once open 24 hours a day — was closed by officers, along with A-Z Smokehouse, also on Jefferson Avenue, and EZ Smoke Tobacco and Vape on Warwick Boulevard. Authorities say the stores were selling marijuana, mushrooms and edibles.

“If somebody’s doing some illegal stuff, like not following the law, he’s doing bad for everybody, making everybody look bad,” said Ari Bandr, manager of King Smoke, another Jefferson Avenue smoke shop.

Mayor Phillip Jones called the closures “a big win for the city.” The action comes two months after city leaders began cracking down on vape shops with a unanimously passed ordinance in September that restricts where smoke shops can locate, limits their hours and bans drive-thru sales.

“We’ve heard from a lot of different authentic vape shop owners; they don’t like when other vape shops are starting to sell drugs out of the back or doing a 24/7 drive-thru,” Jones said, adding the ordinance was meant to promote public safety and that the raid on the three stores are “fruits of that labor.”

While some shop owners hope the bust brings more scrutiny to smoke shops, the mayor said lawful businesses have nothing to fear. “If you are doing illegal things, then you’ve got something to worry about. If you’re completely legal, you’ll be OK,” Jones said, and he does not expect further legislation because he believes the current ordinance is strong.

Newport News police have identified one person arrested after the searches. Mouhamed El Jily, of A-Z Smokehouse, faces charges including possession with intent to distribute marijuana and related gun charges.

This article was adapted from an original report published on 13newsnow.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.