Drug case against Murrysville e-cigarette shop owner continues

The owners of a Murrysville e-cigarette shop who authorities say sold illegal substances will face charges in Westmoreland County court, a district judge ruled Tuesday.

Jeffrey R. Higgins, 41, of Murrysville and Eric J. Parco, 46, of Plum – owners of PA Vapor & Glassroom on Route 22 – were arrested in March after a nearly year-long police investigation.

According to court documents, they are accused of corrupt organizations, conspiracy, intent to manufacture or supply drug paraphernalia, and a number of other drug offenses.

Between January and March 2023, undercover agents purchased items from the store on six occasions that, according to laboratory results, contained THC – the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana – and psilocybin, a hallucinogen found in psychedelic mushrooms, both of which are controlled substances, according to investigators.

In March 2023, police raided the store and seized more than 33 pounds of THC in the form of leaves, wax, edibles and vape cartridges, as well as 20 pounds of psilocyin-infused chocolate bars, court records show.

Greensburg police Officer Shelby Hubert and Penn Township Detective Brad Bucksbaum, who purchased products during undercover investigations that police said tested positive for controlled substances, testified about their experiences at a hearing before District Judge Judith Petrush in the Export case on Tuesday.

Defense attorney Lyle Dresbold, who represents Higgins, argued that there was insufficient evidence for the majority of the drug charges.

Defense attorney Mike Machen, who represents Parco, argued that his client did not know the exact contents of the store's products. He argued that there was no evidence that Parco or Higgins manufactured the items themselves.

“These were not drug dealers,” Machen said. “This was an individual who opened a store 10 years ago to offer (buyers) honest products.”

Katie Ranker, assistant district attorney for Westmoreland County, said as owners of the company, Parco and Higgins are responsible for the contents of the products sold.

“These individuals are actively involved in the sale of items donated to the public,” she said.

The investigation into PA Vapor and Glassroom began after vaporizers and THC pens were found on students at a local high school and police received anonymous complaints about minors purchasing products from the store.

The store remains open.

Arraignment is scheduled for October 23 before Judge Timothy Krieger at the Westmoreland County Courthouse.