1,136 Illegal Cannabis Products Siezed At Stamford Smoke Shops: Police

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Police Department announced it recently seized over 1,100 illegal cannabis products from two Stamford smoke shops during unannounced compliance checks.

The SPD Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad, in conjunction with the CT Department of Consumer Protection – Drug Control Division and the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services – Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program, performed the compliance checks on Sept. 12 at three Stamford businesses.

“We continue to get a lot of information from parents, the schools and intel sources that many of these vape shops are openly selling products to the youth and also selling illegal cannabis products they’re not licensed to sell,” Assistant Stamford Police Chief Richard Conklin said.

Authorities sent an individual under the age of 21 to Black Star Smoke Shop at 335 W. Main St. where they were able to successfully purchase a vape cartridge without being asked for proper identification, Conklin said. The clerk was issued an infraction for the illegal sale of electronic systems to a minor.

“Due to the fact we had the state with us, and due to the licensing of these vape shops, we can do a search,” Conklin added.

Police seized 648 illegal cannabis products from the shop, Conklin said.

Another minor was sent to Zaza Smoke Shop at 1990 W. Main St. where they were also sold a vape cartridge without having to show proper ID, Conklin said. The clerk was issued an infraction, and 488 illegal cannabis products were recovered.

Lastly, authorities went to Smokey Bear Smoke Shop at 59 Broad St. The clerk there was issued an infraction for selling a vape cartridge to a minor, Conklin said. No illegal cannabis products were confiscated.

“We’ll continue to enforce these laws and follow up on these locations as time and resources allow. This is a problem we’re having not only here in Stamford but regionally we’re seeing a lot of issues,” Conklin said.

The state will look into the licensing at the shops, Conklin said.

“We’ve been working with the Attorney General’s office that’s doing civil litigation against many of these locations. We see a host of issues down the road for these locations.”