BALTIMORE, MD (WBFF) — The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office announced that it seized large amounts of unlicensed THC products, drugs, and a ghost gun from an east Baltimore smoke shop where one of the employees was a juvenile.

Authorities said that an undercover investigation took place at VIP Smoke Shop in the 400 block of N. Highland Avenue.

On June 8, an undercover deputy sheriff entered the business and purchased a package of suspected cannabis from an employee working behind the counter.

Testing on the cannabis determined the product exceeded Maryland’s legal THC limits, and was being sold without the required state licensing and regulatory safeguards.

Deputies obtained and executed a search warrant at the shop on June 10.

When authorities entered the store, they found two people working behind the sales counter, including a 17-year-old employee.

During the search, authorities recovered the following items:

• A 9mm ghost gun with no serial number
• A loaded 10-round magazine and ammunition
• Suspect cocaine and cocaine residue
• Marijuana packaged for distribution
• 184 packs of THC gummies
• 117 THC flower products
• 80 THC pre-rolls
• THC vape products and additional cannabis-related merchandise

Authorities said that the ghost gun and drugs were located in a backpack with arm’s reach of the underage employee.

Deputies said that due to the seriousness of the offenses, including gun violations and drug distribution allegations, the underage employee was charged as an adult following consultation with the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office.

That juvenile faces charges related to possession of a gun by a person under 21, possession of a gun without a serial number, possession of cannabis with intent to distribute, and the unlawful sale of cannabis products.

The second employee was charged with possession with intent to distribute cannabis and multiple violations related to the unlawful sale of cannabis products.

This case highlights exactly why these enforcement efforts are so important,” said Sheriff Sam Cogen, via a press release. “We are not talking about legitimate, licensed businesses operating under Maryland law. We found a juvenile working behind the counter of an illegal cannabis operation, a ghost gun with no serial number, suspected cocaine, and large quantities of unregulated THC products being sold to the public. That is a serious threat to public safety and to the surrounding community.

“Our goal is simple: protect neighborhoods, protect consumers, and ensure businesses follow the law,” Cogen said, via a press release. “When illegal operators choose profits over public safety, we will continue to hold them accountable.”