Wethersfield PD Smoke Shop Sweep Nets 2 Arrests: WPD

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Two men were arrested following a multiagency investigation into the alleged illegal sale of cannabis products and other substances at smoke shops in Wethersfield, police announced Friday, Oct. 23.

The arrests followed a Sept. 25 compliance operation involving four smoke shops in town, according to the Wethersfield Police Department.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Labor, Department of Revenue Services, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Department of Consumer Protection's Cannabis Control Division.

Police said investigators identified suspected illegal sales at two businesses along the Silas Deane Highway.

Both men were arrested Thursday, Oct. 23, on warrants stemming from the investigation.

Arrest At Smoke Land

Maher A. Alshujaa, 40, of Wethersfield, was arrested in connection with an investigation at Smoke Land, 1081 Silas Deane Highway.

According to police, detectives determined that Alshujaa had been selling cannabis products and paraphernalia without proper licensing.

Police said they took possession of the allegedly illegal products.

Alshujaa was charged with:

• Sale, possession with intent to sell or dispensing narcotics, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 21a-277(a)(1A+).

He was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Nov. 13.

Arrest At Puff City

In a separate investigation, police arrested Hakan Aydin, 40, of Milford, following the compliance inspection at Puff City, 679 Silas Deane Highway.

Police said detectives determined that Aydin had been selling kratom, cannabis products and paraphernalia without proper licensing.

The department said it recovered the allegedly illegal products during its investigation.

Aydin was charged with:

• Illegal manufacture, distribution or sale of cannabis and a hallucinogenic substance — two counts, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 21a-277b(b)(1A).

Aydin was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Nov. 13.

Multiagency Compliance Operation

The Sept. 25 operation included inspections of four smoke shops in Wethersfield, although police identified only the two businesses associated with the arrests.

The department did not provide details about the findings at the other two locations.

The arrests followed investigations conducted by the Wethersfield Police Department's Detective Division.