Whitman man allegedly sells THC-infused drinks to undercover officer three times

WHITMAN, Mass. — A Whitman man was arrested on over half a dozen drugs and weapons charges on Friday, according to a release from the town's police department.

Derek Sheehan, 35, of Whitman faces charges stemming from an allegation that he sold THC-infused drinks to an undercover police detective on three separate occasions earlier in March.

The investigation into Sheehan was spearheaded by the W.E.B. Major Crimes and Task Force. Working alongside the Task Force were the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

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During the investigation the Task Force determined that the THC-infused drinks contained anywhere from 100 to 150 milligrams of THC each.

“They even have little catchphrase-y names that he gave them and that appeals to younger kids," Whitman Police Chief Scott Benton said. "It's clearly a dangerous thing when somebody is taking it upon themselves to play the role of a pharmacist with illegal products like that.”

While executing a search warrant on Friday, officials confiscated 138 of those alleged drinks, 25 bottles of THC-infused liquid, THC vape cartridges, a bag of mushrooms and several containers filled with liquid that police believe is related to the production of those THC drinks.

"He had pots and pans at his house and he was basically cooking this stuff," Benton said.

Officials also located about a pound of marijuana and two blue pills and over $5,000 in cash.

In their search, police found an unlicensed firearm that they believe Sheehan assembled himself by buying parts online. Law enforcement alleges that the parts were bought on the "dark web."

“You can purchase marijuana, but this operation wasn’t under that guise," Benton said. "This was an illegal operation, and if it’s no big deal, why do you have a gun? You must be doing pretty good business because the gun is there for your protection.”

Sheehan was subsequently charged with the following:

• Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
• Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number
• Distribution of a Class C Drug (Three Counts)
• Possession of a Class C Drug
• Possession of a Class C Drug with Intent to Distribute
• Possession of a Class B Drug
• Possession of a Class D Drug with Intent to Distribute

"This was a comprehensive investigation that resulted in the arrest of an individual who was flagrantly violating our drug and firearm laws and — in my opinion — specifically targeting kids and young adults with these products," Benton said.

"I want to thank all of our law enforcement partners who made this investigation, arrest and seizure possible, resulting in the removal of drugs and a deadly firearm, which pose serious risks to the safety of the public and our officers, from our streets."

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Sheehan is set to be arraigned in Brockton District Court on Monday. He is being held on $75,000 bail.

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