Convenience store owner pleads guilty

The owner of a Greencastle area convenience store who was jailed after thousands of dollars of illegal synthetic marijuana was found during a raid on the business Jan. 14 has pleaded guilty to a number of drug offenses.

Surjit Singh Dhillon, of Leesburg, Va., was the Molly Pitcher Mini-Mart owner arrested Jan. 14 for multiple drug-related offenses, pleaded guilty Jan. 28 in Franklin County Court.

Dhillon’s convenience store was raided by the Franklin County Drug Task Force. Investigators found 170 packets of synthetic marijuana worth more than $7,000, drug paraphernalia, counterfeit North Face apparel, U. S. currency and a stolen handgun hidden throughout the store. Dhillon told authorities the substances were for his personal use, and that he did smoke them, as documented in the police criminal complaint. He was arrested and placed in the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Dhillon, 45, pleaded guilty to felony possession with intent to deliver. Some charges were dropped in the plea deal. President Judge Douglas Herman sentenced him to between 14 days and 23 months in state prison, and then 37 months of probation. He was credited with 14 days already served.

At the time of the raid, authorities said the investigation stemmed from complaints received from parents and concerned citizens, as well as information obtained from confidential informants.

Anyone with information pertaining to suspected drug activity in Franklin County can contact the Franklin County Drug Task Force at 1-800-344-3127. All information provided is kept confidential and callers may remain anonymous if they wish. Tips may also be submitted via email at tips@drugtaskforce.org