STRATFORD — A smoke shop that has been the target of several investigations into illegal marijuana sales again was the focus of a local/state undercover operation this week that resulted in one arrest, Stratford police said Friday.
On Wednesday, a confidential source under age 21 bought a vape product at S&T Smoke and Snack on Honeyspot Road with no age verification, Stratford police spokesperson Capt. Jerry Pinto said.
Store employee Amilca Miller, 24, is charged with illegal possession with intent to sell cannabis, illegal operation of a drug factory and illegal sale of a vape product to a minor, police said.
In December 2023 and January of this year, local detectives with the vice and intelligence unit conducted four undercover buys of packaged marijuana from the shop, Pinto said. A subsequent search brought the seizure of illegal cannabis, vape products, THC gummies and other illegal products, he said. Brion Henry Jr., 22, was arrested on four counts of illegal possession of cannabis with intent to sell and conspiracy to sell cannabis/cannabis products.
Detectives, however, continued hearing that illegal THC and cannabis products were being sold from the shop, Pinto said. In May, Stratford police teamed again with state agents to conduct compliance checks at the shop, and a confidential source under age 21 bought a vape product, police said. Also, store employee Scott Marsillo, 31, had bulk amounts of pot packaged for street sales directly behind the counter, in the same place marijuana was found during a search in January, Pinto said.
Marsillo was charged with sale of a controlled non-narcotic substance, police said. Also, the store’s managing partner, Raian Baniyounes, 36, was arrested at the time on charges of illegal sale/distribution of cannabis or a cannabis product and conspiracy to sell/distribute cannabis or a cannabis product, police said.
Miller is free on a $1,000 bond and is due in court Dec. 18, according to police. The cases against Marsillo and Baniyounes are pending, according to online court dockets. No information could be obtained on the status of Henry’s case on Friday.
H/T: www.ctpost.com
