Illicit "Pseudo-Narcotics" Confiscated At Smoke Shop In Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — The owners of a smoke shop and convenience store on Elm Street were arrested Tuesday following an investigation into the sale of illicit "pseudo-narcotics" from their business.

Accompanied by members of the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Enfield police conducted an inspection at the Smoke + Mart in the Riverview Plaza at 169 Elm Street.

"This inspection occurred as the result of a December referral of this location by the Enfield Police Department to the Department of Consumer Protection over some of the products that they had available for sale, as well as concerns as to the potential sale of these products to underage individuals," Police Chief Alaric Fox said in a written statement.

As a result of the inspection, DCP found 1,075 items that are illegal to sell in Connecticut due to their THC content. These items, with a total value between $25,000 and $30,000, were seized by police, along with $1,300 in cash, Fox said.

Store owners Tariq Mehmood, 32, and Waqas Ali, 30, both of Enfield, were each charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Each man's bond was set at $2,500.

The store's license to sell THC products has been suspended pending an administrative review process, Fox said.