Massive Vaping Bust Nets Nearly $1 Million Cash, Cartridges: Cops

MILWAUKEE, WI — Less than a month after authorities in Wisconsin notched one of the largest THC vape cartridge busts in the U.S. comes a second massive vape bust.

The first bust came in early September in Kenosha when Jacob and Tyler Huffines were arrested and charged in a THC vaping operation that involved more than 31,000 illegal THC vape cartridges and 7 gallons of THC oil.

This time, authorities in Milwaukee executed a search warrant at a home on the 4900 block of W. Norwich Court in Milwaukee on suspicion that the two people living there were running a sizable illegal vape cartridge operation.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, officers arrested 34-year-old Govanny Molina and 30-year-old Amanda Ware in connection with running the operation.

Police say that officers found more than $935,000 in cash, more than 13,000 THC vape cartridges and edibles in packages, and a total of about 20 pounds of marijuana on the property. Investigators said the THC vape cartridges had between 71 and 95 percent THC.

By The Numbers

• $935,874 cash seized
• 8,632 grams of non-vape-cartridge marijuana seized
• 13,509 THC vape cartridges and THC edibles seized

According to the criminal complaint, Milwaukee police investigators set up surveillance on the home days leading up to the Oct. 1 search warrant. Police say they saw both Molina and Ware coming and going from the house.

What They Found

According to Milwaukee police, the following is a list of what investigators found on the property between the house and garage. This list contains most, but not all items that were seized by authorities during an Oct. 1 search warrant execution.

Living Room

• Bags of marijuana labeled with the various types/strains, such as, Blue Cookie,” “P Butter,” “Golden Ticket,” and “Power Wreck” located under a computer desk. The weight of this marijuana was 455 grams.
• Various bags, jars, containers and vacuum seal bags containing marijuana on the living room table. The packaging was again labeled with names like “All American Diesel,” “Keslo Keeper,” “Train Berry,” Gorilla Glue #4,” “Chocolate Diesel,” “Golden Ticket,” “Live Well,” and “The Lodge.” The weight of this marijuana was 473.50 grams.

Northwest Bedroom

• A gray plastic 20 gallon storage tote containing $450,500.
• A second gray plastic 20 gallon storage tote containing $452,680.
• Two gray totes containing vacuum sealed bags.
• A black Smith and Wesson M&P 40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with a laser and flashlight attachments in a safe in the ottoman.
• $30,278 in various denominations.

Garage

• A vacuum sealer.
• Quantities of marijuana in bags and containers located on a table. The total weight of marijuana was approximately 5,329.50 grams.
• Quantities of marijuana in Ziploc bags, containers, garbage bags and jars located in various places in the garage. The weight of this marijuana was 2,340 grams.
• A total of 13,509 THC vape cartridges and THC edibles in various plastic containers, including: 565 “KRT” vape THC cartridges, 337 “King Pen” vape THC cartridges, 548 “Connected Brass Knuckles” vape THC cartridges, 369 “Cookies” vape THC cartridges and Over 1661 “Dank” vape THC cartridges.