Latest news with #BryanT.Cafferelli
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
107 pounds of cannabis products were seized from a CT store. The business lost more than that.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has issued two summary suspensions to a smoke shop in the state after officers allegedly seized from it 107 pounds of cannabis products, including what were reported to be illegal THC edible products. The Department of Consumer Protection said credentials were suspended at the shop, which prohibits all e-cigarette, vape and lottery sales immediately. The SN Smoke & Vape, located at 665 Honeyspot Road, in Stratford was suspended following a search and seizure conducted by the Stratford Police Department on April 29. A message seeking comment was left at the store. Business owner Anas Chwiki was arrested and charged with sale of 1 kilogram or more of cannabis and supplying a controlled substance without a license. Confiscations of allegedly illegal materials sold at smoke shops have become a regular occurence in the state; in addition to being illegal, such products are not necessarily inspected or tested for safe use by consumers, as are cannabis products sold in stores licenced by the state to do so. According to state data, Connecticut had $2,828,675 in legal cannabis sales in the week ending April 30. The total number of products sold legally was 81,412, the data shows. It was a drop from the previous week, when 153,912 products were sold legally, the data shows. Police: CT smoke shop inspections lead to seizure of 'significant quantity' of THC products The Department of Consumer Protection said in a statement about the Stratford store that 'the alleged possession and sale of illegal drugs by the agent demonstrate a lack of integrity and dishonest behavior and present an ongoing threat to lottery customers visiting the store.' 'The credentials held by SN Smoke do not authorize them to engage in the sale of the illegal cannabis products. The authorization of a credential is not a recommendation, it is the law. Any deviation from what a credential allows is illegal and unacceptable.' DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a statement. 'SN Smoke clearly poses a threat to the public safety of its patrons and community. The suspensions demonstrate the continual action to stop illegal operators in Connecticut. Thank you to the Stratford Police Department for their efforts.' The shop's Lottery Sales Agent license was initially issued on Jan. 6, 2021, and had been renewed annually and set to expire until March 31, 2026. The Electronic Cigarette Dealer registration was initially issued on June 15, 2020, and has been renewed annually, with the current permit set to expire on Feb. 28, 2026. According to the summary suspension order from the Department of Consumer Protection, 'Stratford police identified and seized the equivalent of 107.546 pounds of marijuana products, which were comprised of illegal THC edible products, illegal THC vape products, illegal THC beverages, and marijuana products. 'Some of these products were packaged in a manner appealing to children. Others, including those that were appealing to children, contained total THC hundreds or thousands of times above the amount allowed by law,' the order stated. Police confiscate 10 pounds of marijuana, cash, edibles from Hartford smoke shop The report also stated that the police seized $4,355 in cash. The funds were believed to be the proceeds of the alleged sale of the illegal goods, the report said. The suspension order regarding the lottery license said, 'the alleged possession and sales of illegal drugs by Mr. Chwiki from the premises demonstrate a lack of integrity and dishonest behavior in violation of Section 12-568a-5(e)(3) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. These actions seriously impair SN Smoke's reputation for honesty and integrity as a Lottery Sales Agent and present an ongoing threat to lottery customers visiting the store.'
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is selling Super Bowl ‘Squares' legal in Connecticut?
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Selling Super Bowl 'Squares' is among the sports wagers that are illegal to organize without a license in Connecticut, according to the Department of Consumer Protection. As the country's biggest sports event is around the corner, DCP officials Monday reminded the public of Connecticut's laws. The Chiefs get more Mahomes magic and advance to 3rd straight Super Bowl, beating the Bills 32-29 'The Super Bowl is set and around the corner, so we know many people will be placing wagers in the coming weeks.' DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said. 'We are reminding the public – both businesses and consumers – that it is illegal to offer wagers without a license. According to DCP officials, there are three online platforms authorized to offer sports wagers in Connecticut. They are: DraftKings, through their affiliation with Foxwoods Casino FanDuel, through their affiliation with Mohegan Sun Fanatics, through their affiliation with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation In-person, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casino are also allowed to offer retail sports wagering. SZA to join Kendrick Lamar for Super Bowl LIX halftime show The 11 other retail locations with licenses to offer wagers- through their affiliation with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation- include: Bobby V's Stamford Bobby V's Windsor Locks Murphy's Pub & Sports Bar Manchester Sports Haven New Haven Total Mortgage Arena Winners Hartford Winners Milford Winners New Britain Winners Norwalk Winners Waterbury XL Center Hartford All other bars and restaurants are not allowed to sell Super Bowl 'Squares,' which is a form of gambling. 'As always adults who choose to gamble are encouraged to set time and money limits, only gamble on licensed platforms and review the resources and information available if you or someone you know has a gambling problem,' Cafferelli said. If you or someone you know is looking for resources and support for problems relating to gambling, call, or chat with the Connecticut Council on Problem Gaming 24/7 confidential Problem Gambling Helpline at 1(888) 789-7777 or visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
