WHPD: Hartford Man, Simsbury Man Illegally Sold Tobacco/Drugs In Store

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Police Friday announced several drug charges against a Hartford man and Simsbury man accused of illegally selling cannabis and tobacco, possibly to minors, at a local convenience store.

The store in question is the Qais Convenience Shop, located at 74 Lasalle Road, West Hartford, police said.

According to the West Hartford Police Department, Faisal Nasher, 45, of Hartford, turned himself in July 12 on a warrant following a WHPD probe.

Nasher, police said, was charged with: possession of an equivalent amount of cannabis and cannabis products; possession with intent to sell more than 1 kg of a cannabis-type substance; possession of a controlled substance (mushrooms); and possession with intent to sell of a hallucinogen.

Police said Nasher was released on $15,000 bond and was to appear in Hartford Superior Court on July 20.

As part of the same investigation, police said Qais Alhagr, 42, of Simsbury, also voluntarily turned himself in to the WHPD to face charges July 18.

Alhagr, police said, was charged with: possession of an equivalent amount of cannabis and cannabis products; possession with intent to sell more than 1 kg of a cannabis-type substance; possession of a controlled substance (mushrooms); and possession with intent to sell of a hallucinogen.

Police said Alhagr was released on $15,000 bond and will appear in Hartford Superior Court July 27.

The WHPD said the department started receiving complaints this year from West Hartford parents regarding kids' unlawful possession and use of tobacco and THC products.

"The complaints alleged that the Qais Convenience Shop, located at 74 Lasalle Road in West Hartford, was selling tobacco and THC products to underage patrons," wrote the WHPD Friday.

A subsequent probe, police said, determined Qais wasn't licensed to sell THC products at all.

Then, on May 11, detectives coordinated a compliance check operation with law enforcers with the state Department of Consumer Protection's Drug Control Division.

In the operation, police said they noticed several illegal products were on display.

Police said all items were seized and they included 113 THC products and some psychadelic mushrooms.

The items seized totaled the equivalent of 15 pounds of marijuana, police said.

This resulted in arrest warrants for the two men, police said.

Anyone with information related to this, or any other drug-related complaints, 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.