6 Charged After West Hartford Smoke Shop Sweep: Police

Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A major enforcement operation targeting West Hartford smoke shops accused of illegally selling marijuana and THC products ended Tuesday with six arrests.

The West Hartford Police Department has charged six smoke shop employees/owners in connection with the massive probe, which took place from December 2023 to this month.

Police said members of the West Hartford Police Department Community Support Unit conducted multiple investigations into the illegal sale of marijuana and THC products (edibles, vapes) from various smoke shops in town.

"Information had been obtained that suggested many of these smoke shops were selling marijuana and THC products without proper licensing through the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection," wrote the WHPD.

As a result, police Tuesday afternoon announced that the following people have been charged in connection with the probe:

• Lorenzo Lebron, 21, of the Exotic Clouds Smoke Shop, 949 New Britain Ave., was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit; possession with intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of cannabis; possession of more than 5 ounces of cannabis/cannabis equivalent; possession of drug paraphernalia; tampering with physical evidence; and interfering with a police officer.

Lebron was issued a $250,000 bond and he is expected in Hartford Superior Court Oct. 24.

• Amadou Bah, 28, of the Exotic Clouds Smoke Shop, was charged with possession with intent to sell 1 kilogram or more of cannabis; possession of more than 8 ounces of cannabis plant material; possession with intent to sell a hallucinogenic (mushrooms); and possession of a controlled substance.

Bah was released on $15,000 bond and is expected in Hartford Superior Court on April 9, 2025.

• Rana Afzal, 37, of the Bluemoon Smoke Shop, 39 S. Main St., was charged with possession with intent to sell 1 kilogram or more of cannabis; possession of more than 8 ounces of cannabis plant material; possession with intent to sell a hallucinogen (mushrooms); and possession of a controlled substance.

Afzal was released on $15,000 bond and he will appear in Hartford Superior Court Nov. 13.

• Jamie Santuchi, 37, of the Privilege Smoke Shop, 227 Park Road, was charged with possession with intent to sell 1 kilogram or more of cannabis and possession of more than 8 ounces of cannabis plant material.

She was released on a $10,000 bond and will appear in Hartford Superior Court Nov. 21.

• Michael Lawrence, 39, of the S Lab Premium Smoke Shop, 407 New Park Ave., was charged with possession with intent to sell more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cannabis; possession with intent to sell a narcotic; possession of a controlled substance (cocaine); and possession of more than 5 ounces in person/8 ounces in a locked container of cannabis/cannabis products.

He was released on $10,000 bond and his next scheduled court appearance was Oct. 22 in Hartford Superior Court.

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Police launched multiple investigations into numerous smoke shops in town nearly a year ago.

As a result, search-and-seizure warrants were applied for and obtained for the following locations: S Lab Premium Smoke Shop (407 New Park Ave.); Exotic Clouds Smoke Shop (949 New Britain Ave.); Bluemoon Smoke Shop (39 S. Main St.); Privilege Smoke Shop (227 Park Road); and Cigar N Vape (11 Sedgwick Road).

Police said the warrants were executed between December 2023 and October 2024.

According to the WHPD, the enforcement operation yielded a large amount of raw unpackaged marijuana, packaged marijuana, illegal THC products (vapes/edibles), cocaine, a .380 caliber Ruger LCP handgun, and cash obtained from sale proceeds.

The total of seized items are 130.21 pounds of marijuana (raw marijuana and THC equivalents); 113.3 grams of cocaine; 1.93 pounds of illegal mushrooms; $31,509 in US currency; and various packaging material/drug paraphernalia.

Anyone with additional information regarding the West Hartford smoke shop investigations is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203 or use the WHPD Tip Line/email at 860-570-8969/whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.