NORWALK, CT — Police seized more than 10 pounds of illegal marijuana and cannabis products from a vape shop following an investigation into unlicensed sales.
The Norwalk Police Department’s Special Services Division executed a search and seizure warrant at Kings Tobacco and Vape, located at 2 Main Street, on Oct. 30.
The action was part of an ongoing investigation into smoke shops in the city suspected of selling cannabis and cannabis products without a valid cannabis license.
Under Connecticut law, it is illegal to sell products that contain a total THC concentration greater than 0.3 percent without a state-issued license, as well as to sell marijuana outside of a licensed dispensary.
During the execution of the warrant, investigators recovered and seized 10.75 pounds of illegal marijuana and cannabis items located throughout the business, including in a large locked safe.
The seized items included 5.35 pounds of marijuana flower, 2.61 pounds of edible gummies and 2.79 pounds of THC vape products.
Police also seized $4,632 in U.S. currency.
Additionally, four canisters of nitrous oxide gas were located and seized.
The FDA warns against inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters, tanks or chargers, which are marketed as food-grade propellants for culinary use.
Misuse or intentional inhalation can result in serious health risks, including death.
The store employee, Alzanam Belal Almutasim, 20, of Yonkers, New York, was taken into custody.
Almutasim was charged with violation of restricted substances, possession with intent to sell over 1 kilogram of cannabis, possession of paraphernalia, sale of 1 kilogram or more of cannabis, municipal vape shop ordinance violation and illegal sales of cannabis.
He was held on $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 17.
