MONROE COUNTY – Following a several month investigation into the illegal sale of drug paraphernalia, synthetic marijuana, and prohibited offensive weapons at the business of the Old Village Trader in Mount Pocono and the illegal sale of drug paraphernalia and synthetic marijuana at the Stogies Smoke Shop in Tobyhanna, search warrants were executed on Friday, June 22, 2012.

The Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department (PMRPD) first executed a search warrant at the business of the Old Village Trader in Mt. Pocono Borough, Monroe County, Pa. Officers executed the search warrant on June 22 shortly after midnight and found that the business was selling quantities of synthetic marijuana to the public, as well as drug paraphernalia and prohibited offensive weapons.

Vincent April, 54, of Mount Pocono, was present in the store, as well as one employee who was identified as Vanessa D’Elia, 23, of Tannersville.

PMRPD Officers seized 55 electronic stun guns, other weapons and large quantities of synthetic marijuana, a small amount of real marijuana and a used marijuana smoking device, approximately $832.00 in US Currency, and records of the illegal sale of these items for at least the last 2 years. Police also seized illegally possessed prescription medications from D”Elia. Further investigation into Vincent April revealed that he is disqualified from any lawful possession of handguns or electronic incapacitation devices in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PMRPD seized approximately $1870.00 worth of synthetic marijuana, $1740.00 worth of drug paraphernalia, and $1635.00 worth of prohibited offensive weapons.

Vincent April was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver a controlled substance or counterfeit controlled substance (Felony), Persons Not to Possess Firearms (Felony), Criminal Conspiracy(Felony), along with several misdemeanor offences.  April was arraigned and released on a $5000.00 unsecured bail amount.

PMRPD then executed a second search warrant at the business of Stogies Smoke Shop in Tobyhanna, Monroe County, PA. Officers executed the search warrant at approximately 5 p.m. and found that the business was also selling quantities of synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia to the public. Store employees Farrukh Daniel, 46, of Tobyhanna and Mohammed Afroz Khan were present at the time of the warrant service. Investigation identified the owners as Mohammed Feroz Khan, 25, and Abdullah Jabri, 38,  both of East Stroudsburg, who were not present at the establishment at the time Officers arrived.

Further investigation lead Officers to a nearby residence in Tobyhanna being used as a “warehouse” where additional quantities of synthetic marijuana, real marijuana, and additional firearms were seized.

PMRPD officers seized approximately a massive quantity of drugs and paraphernalia, along with a  357 caliber revolver and three rifles from the “warehouse”/residence, approximately $5450.00 in US

Charges are still pending in this case, however, all four individuals will be charged with the illegal sale of controlled substances or counterfeit controlled substances, the illegal sale of drug paraphernalia and criminal conspiracy.