DEA FINDS TUNNEL UNDER KUSH SMOKE EMPORIUM IN LAREDO

DEA, police find tunnel under Laredo vape shop, and drugs 'for illicit use'; two arrested

 

By Maria Ruiz

 

Beaumont Enterprise

Sep 19, 2025 

 

 

Kush Smoke Emporium owner Gilberto Pena III, 31, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance after police seized more than four pounds of a leafy green substance and discovered a tunnel under the property.

 

 

 

Two Laredo smoke shop owners were arrested after compliance checks led to drug seizures and the discovery of a tunnel still under investigation.

 

The Laredo Police Department, with help from the DEA, conducted the inspections Sept. 17-18. The checks followed the recent passage of Senate Bill 2024, which targets the sale and marketing of vape products appealing to minors.

 

Of 22 shops checked, two resulted in criminal charges: Kush Smoke Emporium and Tranquility Dispensary. 

 

At Kush Smoke Emporium, officers seized 4.6 pounds of a green leafy substance. Gilberto Pena III, 31, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony.

Officers also discovered a deep tunnel at the site, along with construction gear. The DEA is working with local law enforcement to determine its purpose.

"Let's be very clear — it's for illicit use," said DEA Assistant Special Agent Robert Kennedy. "This could potentially be a lab or storage site for drugs. These are the possibilities we're evaluating."

The owner of Tranquility Dispensary, a 47-year-old man, was charged with violating SB 2024 and Health and Safety Code § 161.086, which prohibits self-service sales of tobacco or vape products — a class-A misdemeanor. About 529 illegal vape pen cartridges were seized with an approximate value of $15,870.

Two other businesses were found noncompliant. At Vapour & Bloom, linked to Tranquility, officers seized 628 illegal cartridges valued at $18,840. The Healing Clinic was cited for operating as an unlicensed tattoo studio. A warrant is pending for a 29-year-old man tied to the latter wanted on a misdemeanor charge.

Product analysis certificates were not provided, and items seized are pending lab results.