Drug case will proceed against Murrysville vape shop owners

Owners of a Murrysville vape shop whom authorities said were selling illegal substances out of the business will have criminal charges proceed in Westmoreland County court, a district judge found Tuesday.

Jeffrey R. Higgins, 41, of Murrysville and Eric J. Parco, 46, of Plum — owners of PA Vapor & Glassroom on Route 22 — were arrested in March following nearly a year of investigative work by police.

They are charged with corrupt organizations, conspiracy, intent to manufacture or deliver drug paraphernalia and a number of other drug offenses, according to court papers.

On six occasions between January and March 2023, court documents say, undercover police officers bought items from the store that lab results showed contained THC — the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana — and psilocin, a hallucinogen present in psychedelic mushrooms. Both are controlled substances, according to investigators.

Police raided the shop in March 2023, seizing more than 33 pounds of THC in forms including leaf, wax, edibles and vape cartridges, and 20 pounds of psilocin-infused chocolate bars, according to court papers.

Greensburg police Officer Shelby Hubert and Penn Township Detective Brad Bucksbaum, who purchased products that, police say, tested positive for controlled substances during undercover investigations, testified about their experiences in a hearing Tuesday before District Judge Judith Petrush in Export.

Defense attorney Lyle Dresbold, representing Higgins, argued there is insufficient evidence to support a majority of the drug charges.

Defense attorney Mike Machen, representing Parco, argued his client was unaware of the exact contents of the store’s products. He argued there is no evidence suggesting Parco or Higgins produced the items themselves.

“These weren’t drug dealers,” Machen said. “This was an individual who opened a business 10 years ago to present honest product (to buyers).”

Westmoreland County Assistant District Attorney Katie Ranker said, as owners of the business, Parco and Higgins are responsible for the contents of the products sold.

“These individuals are active participants in the sales of things being given to the public,” she said.

Investigation into PA Vapor and Glassroom began after local high school students were found with vape and THC pens and police received anonymous complaints about minors purchasing products at the store.

The store remains in business.

An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 23 before Judge Timothy Krieger at the Westmoreland County Courthouse.