STRATFORD, Conn. — After investigating activity at the CREAM Smoke Shop, the Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit made a large seizure of cannabis earlier this week.
Police say the CREAM Smoke Shop, located at 955 Ferry Boulevard, is not licensed with the state of Connecticut to sell or distribute marijuana or THC products. However, the Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit was recently tipped off that underage minors were purchasing cannabis and THC products there.
The Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit completed four controlled purchases of cannabis material from the business, according to police, who say that a search warrant was executed on Thursday.
During the search, around 28 pounds of illegal marijuana and THC materials were seized as evidence, police say. Approximately $7,000 in cash was also taken by law enforcement to be used as evidence.
Police claim that agents from the state’s Department of Consumer Protection, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Revenue Services were critical to the investigation’s success.
Phillip Giacobbe, 27; Brian Fernandez, 33; Ariel Martinez, 30; and Virack Korng, 38, were arrested, taken to the Stratford Police Department and charged, police say.
All four men were charged with possession with intent to sell one kilogram or more of cannabis, conspiracy to possess with intent to sell one kilogram or more of cannabis and operation of a drug factory. They will each appear in Bridgeport court next Friday and were assigned $25,000 bail.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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