CINCINNATI —

The owners of VIP Smoke Shop, accused of running an illegal drug operation, are speaking out for the first time since their indictment, claiming they were wrongly targeted and mischaracterized as drug dealers.

In March, investigators raided VIP Smoke Shops across the region, including a warehouse in Norwood, stripping shelves and hauling away boxes. Authorities labeled it a criminal enterprise, and a 60-count indictment accuses owners Wael Sharaydeh and Ismail Sharida of selling products with excessive THC levels. However, the brothers, along with a third brother who is not charged, insist this is a mistake. Advertisement

"We do everything by the book, legally," said Ismail Sharida, a VIP Smoke Shop owner. The brothers argue that the Warren County Drug Task Force misunders

See Full Page