Latest news with #Alraishani
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
East Haven smoke shop's registration suspended after persistent illegal cannabis sales
EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Planet Zaza has been ordered to suspend electronic cigarette sales, according to Department of Consumer Protection officials Thursday. The business' Electronic Cigarette Dealer registration was suspended effective immediately. RELATED: AG Tong: $4.93 million penalty against Planet Zaza for illegal cannabis sales The suspension comes after officials say the business failed six compliance checks conducted by DCP's Drug Control Division and East Haven police over the last two years, following allegations the business was illegally selling cannabis to minors. Officials said officers have seized hundreds of illicit cannabis and THC products from the property since May 2023. The most recent investigation included THC products with counterfeit labels targeting children such as Peeps, Game Boy, Crayola, and Nerds. 'It is illegal for Electronic Cigarette Dealers, often referred to as vape or smoke shops, to sell cannabis. We expect that all license holders act responsibility and follow the law,' DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a statement. New Haven enforcing new ordinances around smoke shops In May, Attorney General William Tong said he secured a $4.93 million judgment against Planet Zaza and its owner, Mohamed Alraishani, in his personal capacity, following the persistent illegal cannabis sales. Tong first sued Planet Zaza and Alraishani in January 2024 for violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act after multiple unannounced inspections conducted by the Department of Consumer Protection and Office of the Attorney General found numerous high-THC cannabis edibles. Investigators also discovered unauthorized labels, including fake prescription labels, falsely indicating that the store was a licensed dispensary and that the illegal products were medical-use cannabis. The products were not produced in a licensed facility or tested in accordance with state law, and many contained youth-appealing packaging. Authorities cracking down on unregulated marijuana sales in Connecticut shops On Nov. 12, 2024, the judge issued a temporary injunction ordering Planet Zaza and Alraishani to cease illegal sales, but they ignored the court's order. Plant Zaza's Electronic Cigarette Dealer registration was first issued in December of 2022 and it's current registration is set to expire in February of 2026. Concerns about a registered Electronic Cigarette Dealer in the State of Connecticut can be reported to DCP's Drug Control Division at (860) 713-6065, or by emailing Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
AG Tong: $4.93 million penalty against Planet Zaza for illegal cannabis sales
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Attorney General William Tong announced Thursday the largest civil penalty ever imposed in Connecticut for illegal cannabis sales. Attorney General Tong said he secured a $4.93 million judgement was levied against Planet Zaza of East Haven and its owner, Mohamed Alraishani in his personal capacity, following persistent illegal cannabis sales in spite of a court order and repeated law enforcement visits. Attorney General Tong first sued Planet Zaza and Alraishani in January 2024 for violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, after multiple unannounced inspections conducted by the Department of Consumer Protection and Office of the Attorney General found numerous high-THC cannabis edibles. Investigators also discovered unauthorized labels, including fake prescription labels, falsely indicating that the store was a licensed dispensary and that the illegal products were medical-use cannabis. The products were not produced in a licensed facility or tested in accordance with state law, and many contained youth-appealing packaging. On Nov. 12, 2024, the judge issued a temporary injunction, ordering Planet Zaza and Alraishani to cease illegal sales, but Planet Zaza and Alraishani ignored the court's order. The court this week ordered Planet Zaza and Alraishani to pay $5,000 for each of the 621 days they willfully violated CUTPA, and $25,000 for each of the 73 days the defendants violated the court's temporary injunction, for a total civil penalty of $4.93 million. 'The State of Connecticut is not playing around. Legal cannabis is not a free-for-all. If you are unlicensed, if you sell untested, unregulated cannabis, we will find you and we will hold you accountable,' Attorney General Tong said in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
