Synthetic Urine, Marijuana, $500K Seized In 13-Store Raid By Fairfax Police

FAIRFAX, VA — The Fairfax County Police Department concluded a massive undercover operation this week, recovering a haul of vapes, marijuana, illicit mushrooms, and synthetic urine from 13 tobacco stores across Fairfax County, authorities said.

The investigation targeted retail locations suspected of selling illegal substances behind the counter. On March 18, detectives and undercover officers executed search warrants at the various storefronts after documenting months of illegal transactions.

"Our community expects these businesses to operate within the law," said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis. "This operation was about accountability. We are seeing products being marketed in ways that are dangerously accessible to our youth."

During the operation, a special agent with the Food and Drug Administration accompanied officers as they searched storefronts, warehouses, storage lockers, and the homes of the suspects, according to Davis.

Police seized a vehicle and confiscated a variety of illicit substances, including marijuana in various forms, such as flowers, vape cartridges, pre-rolls, and edibles, according to authorities. They also recovered about 40 pounds of suspected mushroom-infused gummies, unknown pills, and prescription medication potentially being sold without authorization.

Three men from Woodbridge were taken into custody and taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where they were charged.

Omar Salim, 65, and his two sons, 36-year-old Saleh Salim and 39-year-old Saed Salim, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to police.

Omar and Saleh Salim were later released on a $5,000 bond, while Saed Salim was later released on a $50,000 bond, according to police.

In addition to the illegal items, authorities highlighted the seizure of synthetic urine, a product marketed to help individuals subvert drug screenings. Deputy Chief Fred Chambers noted that the presence of these items points to a deliberate attempt to bypass legal requirements.

"One of the particular items that we found in his search warrant was an item that's advertised as urine to defeat urinalysis test through any means of public where your employer may be trying to make sure that your employees are not utilizing illegal narcotics," Chambers said. "So they're advertising that you can buy this — what we've found to be synthetic urine — to defeat these tests."

On March 21, investigators executed a search warrant on the home of Saleh Salim in Prince William County, where they recovered two rifles, four handguns, and other evidence, according to police.

Police in Arlington County executed six additional search warrants, with help from Virginia State Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency

The scope of the operation extended into the financial holdings of the businesses involved. According to Chambers, the department recovered over $500,000 in cash and has seized approximately 18 bank accounts as part of the crackdown.

"The investigation is still ongoing," Chambers said. "We have hundreds of pounds of evidence to go through, majority of it, marijuana, mushrooms and other things that are not legal to sell to these bake shops in Fairfax County."

These vape shop locations in Fairfax County were the subject of FCPD's months-long investigation.

• Tobacco King, 14631 Route 29, Suite 108, Centreville
• Tobacco King, 3903 Fair Ridge Drive, Unit M, Fair Lakes
• Tobacco King, 11923 Route 29, Unit H, Legato
• Tobacco King, 8640 Route 29, Merrifield
• Tobacco King, 8104A Arlington Blvd., Merrifield
• Tobacco King, 7640 Route 29, Merrifield
• Tobacco King, 6649 Arlington Blvd., Seven Corners
• Tobacco King, 6315B Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners
• Tobacco King, 5520 Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners
• Tobacco King, 6127 Backlick Road, Suite D, Springfield
• Tobacco King, 6470 Landsdowne Center Drive, Newington
• Potomac Vape, 7201 Lockport Place, Lorton

The stores involved in the raid face a range of criminal charges and various tobacco-related civil violations. Investigators are also working with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to review the business licenses of the establishments.

"This is a clear message to any business owner who thinks they can fly under the radar," Davis said. "If you choose to sell these substances in our neighborhoods, we will find you, and we will shut you down."