Busted: State and local authorities seized 55 lbs of illegal weed in Danbury raids

DANBURY, CT — Authorities seized approximately 55 pounds of illegal cannabis during coordinated raids at three Danbury smoke shops last week, citing violations of state drug, labor, and tax laws, officials announced Wednesday.

The operation, conducted on April 4, involved the Office of the Attorney General, the Danbury Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and multiple state agencies, including the departments of Consumer Protection, Labor, Revenue Services, and Mental Health and Addiction Services.

The affected businesses include Star Rose Vape & Smoke Shop at 2-4 Mill Ridge Road, All the Smoke at 6 Ives Street, and CT Smoke House at 10 Mill Plain Road.

Ronnie Priar, identified as the owner of All the Smoke, was taken into custody and charged with operating a drug factory and sale of over one kilogram of cannabis.

"Legal cannabis is not a free-for-all," Attorney General William Tong said in a statement. "If you are unlicensed, if you sell untested, unregulated cannabis, if you sell to minors, we will know, and we will hold you accountable. We will continue to work in lock step with our law enforcement partners throughout state and local government to protect public safety."

Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves emphasized the city’s commitment to enforcement, stating that criminal activity will not be tolerated under his administration.

Commissioners from the state departments involved stressed the importance of coordinated enforcement to protect public health, particularly for minors, and uphold legal labor and business standards.

One of the shops, Star Rose, shares ownership with Zaza Smoke Shop 2, which previously paid a $25,000 civil penalty and remains under a stipulated judgment with the Attorney General’s Office. Officials are reviewing legal options for enforcing the judgment, including the potential filing of a contempt motion in Superior Court.

Cannabis sales remain legal in Connecticut only through licensed dispensaries, with strict regulations on product testing, packaging, and marketing.