DERBY – The members of the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen want to close a Pershing Drive smoke shop with a “colorful history.”
The target is Zaza Smoke Shop, where four employees have been accused by police of selling illegal cannabis since 2024.
“Unfortunately for the Zaza Smoke Shop that is located at 49 Pershing Drive, there is quite a colorful history in a short period of time,” Derby Corporation Counsel Rich Buturla said.
The Valley Indy called Zaza April 9 but there was no answer. The Valley Indy also reached out to the business on social media for comment.
State law allows a town or city to ask that problematic vape or smoke shops be closed.
Local officials have to detail the violations and the local legislative body has to pass a resolution saying they want the business shuttered because it poses a threat to public health and safety.
The Alders’ finance and public safety subcommittee discussed the resolution at a meeting March 26. The full board of Aldermen and Alderwomen adopted the resolution at a meeting April 9.
The resolution will “allow us to sue to force that place to close down,” Buturla told the subcommittee.
Next, the municipality applies to Superior Court where a judge can order the business closed.
While cannabis is legal to sell in Connecticut, the product and sales are heavily regulated.
Zaza has been accused several times of selling cannabis products outside of the legal system.
On Oct. 8, 2024, Derby police said they confiscated 22 pounds of illegal cannabis products packaged for sale at Zaza.
A Zaza employee, Ibrahim Elhadje of Danbury, was charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, operating a drug factory, and possession with intent to sell. The latter two charges are felonies.
Elhadje apparently stopped showing up for court and a judge ordered his re-arrest.
On Sept. 23, 2025, police said they confiscated more illegal cannabis and synthetic marijuana products from Zaza.
Zaza Smoke Shop employees Hamda Alawdi, 25, and Abdelkader Brahim, 25, were both charged with possession of more than five ounces of cannabis and possession with intent to sell.
There’s no public information on Alawdi’s case, but he’s due back in court March 22, 2027. That means he probably got probation that will see his record wiped if he stays out of trouble until March 2027.
Brahim’s case is still pending, and he is due back in court April 10.
On Nov. 12, 2025, Zaza was the subject of a compliance check by the state’s Department of Consumer Protection Drug Control Division.
A total of 44 pounds of illegal products were removed from the store, police said. Later that same day, the store reopened and authorities allegedly confiscated another 59 pounds of illegal cannabis products.
“I guess they restock quickly,” Buturla told a Derby subcommittee.
Alzubair Kaid, no hometown provided, was charged Nov. 12 with operating a drug factory, two counts of possession with intent to sell cannabis, and two counts of possession of cannabis. He’s due back in court April 20.
Derby authorities allege the illegal substances and sales were still an issue as of January 2026, when about 40 pounds of illegal cannabis was confiscated.
The city contacted the property owner, who allegedly said Zaza, a tenant, had closed. But police drove by and saw the shop was still open, Burturla said.
The city lawyer also said the property owner said steps are being taken to evict Zaza.
Business records show Zaza was owned by the “Zaza Smoke Shop Three Corporation.” A corporation with that name matching the Pershing Drive address was formed in February 2023 and was dissolved in August 2023.
The discussion about the issue by the Aldermanic subcommittee is embedded below.