Owner Of Smoke Shop In New Haven Arrested; Pot And Ecstasy Seized: PD

NEW HAVEN, CT — The owner of TH3 Factory, a smoke shop at 545 Whalley Ave. in New Haven, was arrested Wednesday, after police and state officials searched the store and found more than 18 pounds of ecstasy pills laced with fentanyl, and 35 pounds of marijuana, according to authorities.

Peter Bush, 48, was at the store at the time of the search and was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to sell.

New Haven police said that the store was being searched by members of the state Department of Consumer Protection on Wednesday, because the store's license to sell e-cigarettes had expired.

But upon arrival, authorities found "a large amount of marijuana in display cases," despite the store not having a state license to sell marijuana.

"This establishment has been the source of numerous citizen and alder complaints regarding the unregulated sale of marijuana, liquor, and other quality of life issues," New Haven police wrote in a statement.

Bush was taken into custody and charged. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.