East Haven Police seize THC/marijuana products from smoke shop

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) – Three people were arrested after police seized a large amount of marijuana from a smoke shop in East Haven on Wednesday.

Police said they executed a warrant at Planet Zaza on Foxon Road at 4:30 p.m., after they received “numerous complaints of illegal and unlicensed marijuana sales.” During the seizure, police located a variety of THC/marijuana products including flower, edibles and vape products “openly displayed for sale.”

Police report to have located an employee, who was later identified as 28-year-old Gallel Saidi, from the Bronx, NY, “sorting packaging materials next to a large quantity of pre-packaged marijuana.” Police said they determined that “the products were packaged to resemble items from licensed dispensaries.”

During the investigation, police said the suspects were buying professional-grade packaging materials and packaging marijuana on-site.

Following the seizure of marijuana products, electronic and video surveillance equipment, and point-of-sale systems police arrested Saidi and 28-year-old David Abreu. Both were charged with illegal manufacturing and distribution of marijuana and illegal sale of marijuana. A third unnamed person received a misdemeanor summons for sale of marijuana.

Police said this warrant execution marks the fourth seizure of illegal and unregulated marijuana products from Planet Zaza.

“We urge parents to speak with their children about the dangers of purchasing and consuming marijuana from unregulated sources. While packaging may appear legitimate, products sold outside licensed dispensaries can be harmful and might contain dangerous substances,” East Haven Police said in a statement.

Saidi is being held on a $100,000 bond and Abreu was released on a $50,000 bond. They are both scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court on October 2.

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