2 Accused Of Illegal Cannabis Sales At Fairfield Smoke Shop: Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — Two men with ties to a Fairfield smoke shop have been arrested on charges of illegal cannabis sales, according to Fairfield police.

In November, the department's Quality of Life Unit raided US 1 Vape and Smoke Convenience, at 2475 Black Rock Turnpike, "following multiple complaints that marijuana products were being sold to juveniles," Sgt. Jenna Wellington told Patch.

"During the investigation, detectives identified underage Fairfield residents who had purchased marijuana products from the business," Wellington said in a statement to Patch. "A search warrant was obtained and executed, which resulted in the seizure of 347 units of marijuana flower, concentrates, vape products, and edibles totaling approximately 7.65 pounds of THC."

Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey resident Kowshik Sumanth Valavala, 25, was charged at the time with:

• Supplying Cannabis With Intent to Sell Without a License
• Illegal Sale of Marijuana

Valavala was also issued an infraction for the illegal sale of an electronic nicotine delivery system to a person under 21. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 20.

The November raid on the smoke shop was not the first time Fairfield police executed a search warrant at the establishment. In March 2025, the department's Quality of Life Unit searched US 1 Vape and seized illegal marijuana products and arrested two employees.

According to Wellington, further investigation determined that Fairfield resident Hanif Yakub Vora, 44, was managing US 1 Vape and Smoke Convenience at the time of the November investigation. Vora was charged with:

• Sale of More Than One Kilogram of Cannabis
• Supplying Cannabis With Intent to Sell Without a License

He was released after posting bond on bail of $25,000, and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 17.

In December, two Fairfield smoke shops, Mohegan Smoke Shop and Cigar Vape and Smoke, were temporarily shut down for labor violations, according to police, but both have since reopened.

At another smoke shop in December, Issam Plus, at 92 Post Road in Fairfield, marijuana products, packaging materials, and scales were discovered inside the business.

Fairfield resident Issam Madineh, 55, was issued a misdemeanor summons for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell. He was released on a written promise to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Feb. 25.

"The Fairfield Police Department would like to thank the Connecticut Department of Labor and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection for their assistance and collaboration throughout these investigations," officials said.