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Norwalk Police executed a search warrant on Thursday, following a long-term investigation into multiple tobacco and vape shops operating within the City of Norwalk.
Investigators determined that a home located at 23 Glenwood Ave. was being used to store and supply the cannabis products for multiple vape and tobacco shops in Norwalk and Stamford.
The following items were found inside the home during the search warrant execution:
- 96.5 pounds of marijuana product (flower and vapes)
- Over $135,000 in U.S. Currency
- Forging Connecticut cigarette tax stamps
- Illegal Cigarettes
The search warrant is connected to investigations of smoke shops in the City of Norwalk that are suspected of selling cannabis and cannabis products without a valid cannabis license.
Connecticut law states it is illegal to sell products that contain a total THC concentration greater than 0.3% without a state-issued license.
It is also illegal to sell pure cannabis outside of a licensed dispensary under Connecticut law.
Chief James Walsh released the following statement following the search warrant execution:
“I would like to recognize and thank the officers of the Special Services Division for this investigation and the arrest of these individuals who were responsible for supplying smoke shops in the City of Norwalk with marijuana for illegal sale. This arrest demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Norwalk Police Department to stem the illegal sale of marijuana and other illegal products at smoke shops that are acting outside the law and endangering public safety.”
The Norwalk Department of Police Service arrested six people in connection with the search warrant execution:
- Saad Almoraisi, 41, of Norwalk, Connecticut, held on $401,200 bond.
- Islam A. Altahami, 19, of San Francisco, California, held on $150,000 bond.
- Mohamed Ali Zaidan, 46, of Albany, New York, held on $150,000 bond.
- Khairalah Almoraisi, 18, of Norwalk, Connecticut, held on $150,000 bond.
- Adel Alfallahi, 54, of Norwalk, Connecticut, held on $150,000 bond.
- M'Ahmoud Remye, 23, of Norwalk, Connecticut, held on $150,000 bond.
Police said the suspects face the following charges:
- Possession of more than one kilogram of cannabis with intent to sell
- Possession of cannabis and cannabis products exceeding five ounces
- Operating a drug factory
- Conspiracy to possess cannabis and cannabis products exceeding five ounces
- Conspiracy to operate a drug factory
- Possession of fraudulent Connecticut cigarette tax stamps
- Conspiracy to possess fraudulent cigarette tax stamps
- Possession of untaxed cigarettes
- Conspiracy to possess untaxed cigarettes
Additionally, police said Saad Almoraisi was charged under two outstanding warrants related to the sale and possession of cannabis. He was also charged on two PRAWN warrants for failure to pay or plead on infractions.
All six defendants are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 18.