Police: Derby Vape Shop Was Selling Marijuana

DERBY — Police said they found 21 pounds of marijuana product inside a Pershing Drive smoke shop on Tuesday (Oct. 8).

Officers served a search warrant on the ZaZa Smoke Shop in the ShopRite plaza at 49 Pershing Drive. Numerous illegal products were confiscated, according to a press release from Derby Police Sgt. John Netto.

“The illegal products seized included vapes, marijuana and edibles. Many of these illegal products mimic youth-type snack foods,” Netto wrote.

While marijuana is legal in Connecticut, selling marijuana for retail use is highly regulated.

There has been a proliferation of smoke and vape shops in Ansonia and Derby this year. Ansonia officials just put a moratorium on new shops after police complained that too many shops were selling marijuana illegally. Derby is moving in the same direction. City land use officials want to limit where the shops can open. Right now, there are no such regulations in place.

Netto said the Derby investigation is ongoing, with police trying to determine where the illegal products came from.

The state Department of Labor issued a stop work order on the ZaZa shop, police said.

“These look alike products are untested and illegal anywhere in Connecticut,” Netto said.

A ZaZa employee, Ibrahim Elhadje of Danbury, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, operating a drug factory, and possession with intent to sell.

Police on Tuesday also inspected Smoke Vibe 2 at 184 Elizabeth St. A 28-year-old employee received a ticket for selling a tobacco product to someone under the age of 21. A stop work order was also placed on the store due to unspecified permitting issues.

Derby police were assisted in the investigation by agents from the state Department of Consumer Protection, the Department of Revenue Services, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.