Store Clerk Arrested, Illegal Cannabis Products Seized: Branford Police

BRANFORD, CT — Police said they seized illegal cannabis products and arrested a clerk following an inspection of the SAS Convenience Store.

Police said they received information from a concerned Branford resident alleging that minors were purchasing marijuana products from SAS Convenience Store, formerly known as ASA Smoke Shop, located at 267 East Main St.

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Several previous arrests involving clerks and the proprietor of this establishment have been made by the Branford Police Department in connection with illegal drug sales, police said in a news release.

"In response to these concerns, Detectives and Officers from the Branford Police Department, along with members of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection's Cannabis Control Division, responded to the business to conduct a comprehensive inspection for illegally sold cannabis products and other controlled substances," police said in a statement. "During the inspection, Branford Detectives and Cannabis Control Division Agents located a substantial quantity of illegal cannabis products being sold from the establishment."

The seized products were categorized as follows:

Cannabis Edibles

• Total weight: 1.5125 pounds

• 17 containers containing 100 mg THC each

• 12 containers containing 200 mg THC each

• 8 containers containing 1,000 mg THC each

Cannabis Concentrates/Vape Products

• Total weight: 4.2125 pounds

• 155 individual units

Cannabis Flower

• Total weight: 1.078 pounds

• 91 containers containing cannabis flower

Additionally, investigators located two packages of Kratom, identified in this investigation as a Schedule I controlled substance, police said. The business is not licensed by the State of Connecticut to sell marijuana or cannabis products, police said.

Investigators also located digital scales, packaging materials, and a BB gun on the premises, police added.

Notably, this is the second time a BB gun resembling a fully functional handgun has been discovered at this location, police said.

"The quantity and variety of illegal products, along with the weighing scales and packaging materials, were consistent with the operation of what investigators described as a drug factory," police said.

The store clerk Salah Kannane, 33, of Branford, was taken into custody. Kannane was charged with possession/sale of a controlled substance, operating a drug factory, and three counts of sale of cannabis.

Kannane was released after posting a $50,000 bond.

"This inspection marks the fifth occasion on which illegal cannabis sales have been discovered at ASA/SAS Convenience Store," police said in a statement. "In numerous instances, the Branford Police Department has received information regarding illegal cannabis sales after a minor purchased cannabis products at the establishment and a parent subsequently discovered the products in the child's possession."