Vape Shop Sold Marijuana To Kids In Fairfield, Police Say

FAIRFIELD, CT — A smoke shop in Fairfield has been temporarily shut down by the state and an employee was arrested Wednesday in connection with an investigation, according to police.

Police have made an arrest at the Rose Smoke and Vape Shop at 2035 Black Rock Turnpike for the second time since June as part of an ongoing extensive investigation that is led by the Fairfield Police Department’s Detective Bureau Quality of Life Unit, according to officials.

“Throughout the past several months, police continued to receive numerous complaints that underage children were continuing to purchase marijuana and nicotine products from the store, even after the arrest and previous search warrant conducted in June,” police wrote in a news release. “Working in collaboration with the State of Connecticut Department of Labor and Connecticut Department of Revenue Services Crime Investigation Division, detectives confirmed that underage children were in fact purchasing these items from the store.”

Police seized several items of evidence on Wednesday, including several packages of suspected marijuana and packaging along with un-taxed tobacco, and marijuana vape products, according to officials.

An employee of the store, identified as 24-year-old Israel Vigo of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with possession of greater than 1 kilogram of marijuana (approximately 2.2 pounds), sale of marijuana, operation of a drug factory, and possession of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 19.

Police said the Connecticut Department of Labor suspended the business operations of the vape shop “effective immediately.”

“The Fairfield Police would like to thank the public for their tips and information in this case so that police can ensure that these individuals are held responsible for their actions,” officials wrote in the news release.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.