Fairfax County Police have arrested a man for a string of five vape shop burglaries. The suspect broke into the shops and stole products containing kratom, a synthetic opioid drug that the Food and Drug Administration is warning has addictive properties.
On June 26 and June 13, police responded to reports of burglaries at a Star Tobacco shop on Braddock Road near Kings Park West. Both times, the suspect broke into the business and took kratom products. During the first incident, the store’s front door was broken.
While investigating, officers collaborated with the City of Fairfax Police, who had three similar incidents within their jurisdiction. They arrested David Elliot, 23, of Fairfax for the burglaries and found evidence in his home. He was charged with five counts of burglary and released on a $5,000 bond.
Police believe the stolen items were for Elliot’s personal use, not to be resold, according to FCPD Deputy Chief Gregory Fried.
Police say that vape stores have become frequent targets of burglaries, with kratom being a top stolen item. High-value vape pens are another frequent target.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a plant-based substance often sold in the form of tablets or powders. It’s used to self-treat conditions like pain, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal. One specific byproduct of kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as 7-OH), has been of particular concern to officials because it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and has addictive qualities.
“It is addictive. You’ve got to be 21 to purchase it in Virginia. There are some states that it is illegal. Virginia is not one of them,” Fried said.
On Tuesday, the FDA announced plans to restrict 7-OH, saying its addictive qualities pose a risk to public health.
“Vape stores are popping up in every neighborhood in America, and many are selling addictive products like concentrated 7-OH. After the last wave of the opioid epidemic, we cannot get caught flat-footed again,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine. We need regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic.”
The FDA notes that this specifically applies to 7-OH products, not natural kratom leaf products.
Feature image courtesy Fairfax County Police Department
