6 Businesses Cited In Shelton Smoke Shop Inspections: Police

SHELTON, CT — Six smoke shops in Shelton were cited for selling tobacco products to customers under the age of 21 during a round of inspections Monday, according to police.

In a news release, Police Det. Richard Bango said Shelton police, along with the Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Revenue Services and the Department of Mental Heath and Addiction Services, conducted inspections at six smoke shops in town.

Prior to inspection, underage customers were sent into each shop to purchase tobacco products. In each instance, the underage customer was sold tobacco or a vape product and was not asked for identification, Bango said.

According to Bango, the shops inspected were:

• Smoke City (719 Bridgeport Avenue)
• Nicks Convenience (609 Howe Avenue)
• Shelton Smoker (500 Howe Avenue)
• 420 Smoke Shop (420 Howe Avenue)
• Smoke World (350 Bridgeport Avenue)
• Breeze 2 Smoke Shop (874 Bridgeport Avenue)

Additionally, cannabis products the store did not have the proper license to sell and illegal cannabis products were located during the inspections, according to Bango.

These products included gummies, loose marijuana cigarettes, high THC vape and electronic cigarettes, several synthetic cannabinoids and other THC products, Bango said.

Approximately 1,900 products worth an estimated $76,000 were seized, according to Bango.

The store employees who sold the products at each shop were charged for sale of a vape product to an underage person, Bango said. He also noted the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.