Norwalk Sees 'Alarming Rise' In Illegal Marijuana Sales At Local Smoke Shops: Police

NORWALK, CT — Police said the city has recently seen a rise in illegal sales of marijuana from smoke shops and other similar retail establishments.

In a statement sent to media, Police Chief James Walsh said Norwalk has seen "an alarming rise in the illegal sale of marijuana" from local smoke shops and other retail establishments that sell vape and smoking paraphernalia in light of the legalization of adult use marijuana in the state of Connecticut.

"Our investigations have determined that some smoke shops are illegally selling marijuana and other illegal THC products that consumers believe are safe but are not," Walsh said in a statement.

Most recently, ZaZA Smoke Shop on Connecticut Avenue was found to be "in possession of illegal marijuana laced with fentanyl, an extreme public safety hazard," that led to an arrest and an ongoing investigation, according to Walsh.

"The Norwalk Police Department is committed to investigating and taking action against any smoke shop in the city of Norwalk that illegally sells marijuana and other THC products," Walsh said. "If anyone has information on illegal sales of marijuana from smoke shops, please contact us."

Anyone with information about these types of illegal sales within the city can contact the department using the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111. Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to www.norwalkpd.com.

Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing "NORWALKPD" into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to TIP411 (847411).