4 Arrested, Items Seized After Raid At Smoke Shop: Stratford Police

STRATFORD, CT — Four people were arrested and 60 pounds of illegal cannabis and THC materials were seized after police executed a search warrant at a smoke shop in Stratford on Thursday, according to officials.

The Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit recently conducted an investigation into the “activities” at the Cream Smoke Shop at 955 Ferry Boulevard in Stratford, according to Capt. Jerry Pinto.

Pinto said the Cream Smoke Shop is not licensed with the State of Connecticut to sell or distribute cannabis or THC products.

The Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit recently received information that underage juveniles were buying cannabis and THC products at the Cream Smoke Shop, according to Pinto.

Pinto said the Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit conducted four undercover officer-controlled purchases of cannabis material that resulted in the execution of a search warrant on Sept. 5.

As a result, Pinto said 60 pounds of illegal cannabis and THC materials were seized as evidence, along with approximately $7,000 in cash.

“Agents from the Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Revenue Services were instrumental in the success of this investigation,” Pinto wrote in a news release.

Phillip Giacobbe, 27, Byron Fernandez, 33, Ariel Martinez, 30, and Virack Korng, 38, were all taken to the Stratford Police Department and arrested, according to Pinto.

Giacobbe was charged with possession with intent to sell of 1KG or more of cannabis, conspiracy to possess with intent to sell of 1KG or more of cannabis, and operation of a drug factory. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond with a court date of Sept. 13.

Fernandez was charged with possession with intent to sell of 1KG or more of cannabis, conspiracy to possess with intent to sell of 1KG or more of cannabis, and operation of a drug factory. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond with a court date of Sept. 13.

Martinez was charged with possession with intent to sell of 1KG or more of cannabis, conspiracy to possess with intent to sell of 1KG or more of cannabis, and operation of a drug factory. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond with a court date of Sept. 13.

Korng was charged with possession with intent to sell of 1KG or more of cannabis, conspiracy to possess with intent to sell of 1KG or more of cannabis, and operation of a drug factory. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond with a court date of Sept. 13.

See also: Smoke Shop Investigation Leads To 3 Arrests: Stratford Police