Nitrous Oxide, Marijuana Seized During Search Of Norwalk Vape Shop: Police

NORWALK, CT — Marijuana, bottles of nitrous oxide and other items were seized during a search of a Norwalk vape shop Tuesday, according to police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski said the department’s special services division served a search and seizure warrant at Wally’s Smoke Shop on Westport Avenue as part of “an ongoing investigation into smoke shops in the city of Norwalk selling cannabis and cannabis products without a cannabis license.”

According to Podgorski, it is illegal to sell products that contain a total THC concentration greater than 0.3 percent in Connecticut without a state-issued license.

Podgorski also noted it is illegal to sell pure marijuana when not a licensed dispensary.

Officers found a variety of pre-wrapped marijuana cigarettes, as well as containers and bags filled with marijuana, during their search of the shop, Podgorski said.

Officers also found five bottles of nitrous oxide. According to Podgorski, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide products from any size canisters, tanks or chargers.

“These products are marketed as both unflavored and flavored nitrous oxide canisters and are sold as a food processing propellant for whipped cream and culinary food use,” Podgorski said in a news release. “Intentional misuse or inhalation of contents can lead to serious adverse health events, including death.”

As a result of the investigation, a 27-year-old Mississippi man was arrested and charged with violation of a restricted substance, sale of less than 8oz of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

He was released on a promise to appear in court next month, according to Podgorski.