ST. JOHNSBURY — Authorities say they executed a search warrant that led to the seizure of drugs, ledgers, cash, and other evidence depicting illegal drug sales in St. Johnsbury.
During a six-month investigation, police say they verified complaints associated with Best Buds Smoke Shop in St. Johnsbury, which currently holds a tobacco license with a tobacco substitute endorsement.
Those complaints included allegations of illegal drug sales to minors and within proximity to a school.
On September 23, investigators conducted a regulatory inspection of Best Buds Smoke Shop.
The search warrant execution led to the seizure of felony amounts of what the authorities suspect are hallucinogenic mushrooms, prepackaged marijuana, hashish/hash oils, cannabis edibles, evidence of illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and approximately $3,000 in alleged illegal cash proceeds.
Criminal charges were filed in Caledonia County Criminal Court and Barry J. McKee, owner of Best Buds Smoke Shop, was charged with possession of hallucinogenic drugs, selling or dispensing hallucinogenic drugs, selling or dispensing to minors, selling on school grounds, possession and sale of cannabis, and persons prohibited from possessing firearms.
McKee was released with a citation and is scheduled to appear in Caledonia County Criminal Court on October 24, 2022.
