HARTFORD – The state Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) on Wednesday, May 14, suspended a Stratford smoke and vape shop’s lottery sales agent license and electronic cigarette dealer registration after police seized more than 107 pounds of cannabis products.
Stratford police also seized $4,355, which they believed were proceeds of the sale of these illegal goods. Anas Chwiki, owner of SN Smoke & Vape located at 665 Honeyspot Rd in Stratford, was arrested and charged with sale of 1 kilogram or more of cannabis, and supplying a controlled substance without a license.
The suspension is a result of a search and seizure conducted by the Stratford Police Department on April 29. Officers seized cannabis products, including illegal THC edible products. The shop’s license and registration does not allow for the sale of cannabis products, according to DCP. 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 agency stated in a press release Friday, May 16.
“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” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “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.”
The license allows the credential holder to sell lottery tickets. The registration, authorizes the holder to sell, offer for sale, or possess with intent to sell an electronic nicotine delivery system or vape delivery system.
The suspensions prohibit lottery sales, in addition to the sale of e-cigarette and vape products until further written notice from the DCP.
The lottery sales agent license was first issued on Jan. 6, 2021, and has been renewed annually with the current permit set to expire on March 31, 2026.
The electronic cigarette dealer registration was first issued on June 15, 2020, and has been renewed annually with the current permit set to expire on Feb. 28, 2026.
