Two brothers in their early twenties have been accused of running what authorities say could be one of the largest operations to manufacture and sell illegal THC-filled vaping cartridges in the US.
Authorities said 20-year-old Tyler Huffhines was the ringleader of a sophisticated vaping “empire” that is now being investigated for links to the recent vaping-related illnesses and deaths across the country.
Huffhines was charged Monday on several counts of possession with intent to manufacture and distribute THC over 10,000 grams, maintaining a drug house, and identity theft. He was held in lieu of a $500,000 cash bond as of Tuesday. His 23-year-old brother, Jacob Huffhines — who was previously convicted for dealing cocaine — was charged on counts of possessing cocaine, THC, and a firearm.
The two brothers allegedly ran the operation out of a rented condo in Bristol where they paid at least 10 people to fill liquid THC — which is illegal in Wisconsin — into vaping cartridges and package them to look like candy with names like “Chronic sour patch.”
Authorities said they seized more than $1.5 million worth of THC products during the bust.
