Stratford Shop Banned From Selling Lottery, E-Cigs: Officials

STRATFORD, CT — A Stratford smoke shop’s license to sell lottery tickets and electronic cigarettes has been suspended by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, officials announced Friday.

The Department of Consumer Protection has issued two summary suspensions of the Lottery Sales Agent license and Electronic Cigarette Dealer registration for SN Smoke & Vape at 665 Honeyspot Rd. in Stratford, according to a news release.

The Lottery Sales Agent license, issued by DCP, allows the credential holder to engage in lottery sales. The Electronic Cigarette Dealer registration, a separate credential, authorizes the holder “to sell, offer for sale, or possess with intent to sell an electronic nicotine delivery system or vape delivery system,” according to the news release. “Neither credential allows the sale of cannabis products.”

The suspension is a result of a search and seizure conducted by the Stratford Police Department on April 29. Officers seized approximately 107 pounds of cannabis products, including illegal THC edible products.

Officials said the “alleged possession and sale of illegal drugs by the agent demonstrate a lack of integrity and dishonest behavior and present an ongoing threat to lottery customers visiting the store.”

“The credentials held by SN Smoke do not authorize them to engage in the sale of the illegal cannabis products,” Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a statement. “The authorization of a credential is not a recommendation, it is the law. Any deviation from what a credential allows is illegal and unacceptable. SN Smoke clearly poses a threat to the public safety of its patrons and community. The suspensions demonstrate the continual action to stop illegal operators in Connecticut. Thank you to the Stratford Police Department for their efforts.”

The Lottery Sales Agent license and Electronic Cigarette Dealer registration are suspended immediately.

“The suspensions prohibit lottery sales, in addition to the sale of e-cigarette and vape products until further written notice from the Department of Consumer Protection,” according to the news release.

The Lottery Sales Agent license was first issued by DCP on Jan. 6, 2021, and has been renewed annually with the current permit set to expire on March 31, 2026.

The Electronic Cigarette Dealer registration was first issued on June 15, 2020, and has been renewed annually with the current permit set to expire on Feb. 28, 2026.

Anyone concerned about Lottery Sales Agent in Connecticut can contact DCP’s Gaming Division at 860-713-6310, or by emailing dcp.gaming@ct.gov. Concerns about a registered Electronic Cigarette Dealer can be directed to DCP’s Drug Control Division at 860-713-6065 or dcp.drugcontrol@ct.gov.

See also:

• Nearly 108 Pounds Of THC Products Seized From Smoke Shop: Stratford PD
  
• Smoke Shop Employee Arrested After Compliance Check: Stratford Police
• 5 Arrested In Recent Drug Investigations In Stratford: Police