Nearly 100 VIP Smoke Shops operating across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky will have to be closed or sold following guilty pleas from the brothers who co-own the business, according to Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.
Ismail Sharida, 40, of West Chester, and Wael Sharaydeh, 57, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Butler County Common Pleas Court to felony drug trafficking charges and a charge involving organized criminal activity.
The brothers are co-owners of VIP Distribution Inc., the company associated with the VIP Smoke Shop locations.
What did the owners plead guilty to?
According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Sharida and Sharaydeh pleaded guilty to:
- Five counts of trafficking in hashish
- One count of trafficking a Schedule I controlled substance analog
- Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, along with VIP Distribution Inc.
The case began with an investigation by the Warren County Drug Task Force. A Butler County grand jury indicted the brothers in 2024 after investigators determined that stores connected to the business were selling illegal substances to minors in southwest Ohio.
Investigators later executed search warrants at VIP Smoke Shop locations.
Authorities said they seized hashish in several forms, including oils, resins and vape cartridges containing illegal levels of Delta-9 THC.
Investigators also found products containing an analog of psilocin, a hallucinogenic compound associated with psychedelic mushrooms.
What happens to the VIP Smoke Shops?
Under the plea agreements, the brothers must close or sell all VIP Smoke Shop locations before their December 1 sentencing hearing.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office says the agreements also prohibit the brothers from owning, operating or working for smoke shops during a probation period that will be determined by the court.
The business currently lists locations across multiple states. The Attorney General’s announcement describes the affected network as nearly 100 locations across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
The Attorney General’s Office has not released a complete county-by-county list of every location that will be closed or sold. Because of that, an exact number of affected stores specifically in Central or Southern Ohio could not be independently confirmed as of publication.
Several VIP locations are listed throughout southwest and southern portions of Ohio, including locations in the Dayton area, Springfield, Xenia, Springboro, Washington Court House and Portsmouth.
What will the owners forfeit?
The plea agreements require the brothers to forfeit:
- More than $338,000 seized from their shops and related bank accounts
- At least six vehicles
- At least three firearms
- All illegal products that tested positive for hashish or psilocin analogs
These forfeitures are separate from a criminal fine. The Attorney General’s announcement does not state that a specific monetary fine has been imposed.
The brothers also agreed to dismiss civil lawsuits they had filed against law enforcement agencies and Warren County concerning the search warrants.
When will sentencing take place?
Sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2026, in Butler County Common Pleas Court.
The guilty pleas resolve the criminal case, but the exact sentences and probation terms will be determined by the court.
What should Ohio residents report?
Consumers who believe a retailer is selling tobacco or vape products to minors can contact the Ohio Department of Public Safety at 614-644-2415, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit.
The Attorney General’s Office also accepts consumer complaints involving businesses. Consumers can file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section or call 1-800-282-0515.
Anyone reporting a suspected violation should provide as much specific information as possible, such as the business name and location, the date and time of the incident, what was allegedly sold, and any other documentation or information that may help investigators.
People should avoid confronting employees or attempting to investigate suspected criminal activity themselves. Suspected criminal activity or an immediate threat should instead be reported to local law enforcement.
What we know so far
The case involves two VIP Smoke Shop co-owners, their company, and a network of nearly 100 stores across three states.
The criminal allegations resulted in guilty pleas to drug trafficking and organized-crime-related charges. The stores must be closed or sold before the brothers’ December 1 sentencing, while the court will determine their sentences and probation terms.
Hopewell Heritage Headlines will continue to follow developments as additional information about affected locations and the court’s sentencing becomes available.
