Brick Twp. Police car. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
A pair of stores on a Brick Township highway were the subject of an investigation by authorities who say the owners had been selling products illegally containing THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Cannabis is legal for recreational sale and use in New Jersey, though it must be sold through a licensed store; Brick has previously prohibited the sale of recreational cannabis sales by ordinance.
According to a statement from Brick Police Ptl. Victorial Finneli, the department’s Street Crimes Unit (SCU), concluded a “lengthy investigation” for the sale of THC vape products in town. During the investigation, detectives determined two businesses in Brick, Welsh Farms, located at 1765 Rt. 88, and Pantry Farm, located at 2085 Rt. 88, were “selling and distributing illegal THC products.”
|
|
With the execution of two search warrants Dec. 14, and with the assistance from the Ocean County Narcotics Strike Force, state Treasury Department and state Consumers Affair Division, both businesses were inspected and searched.
Sarajbit Kaur, 46, of Brick, was arrested and charged with five counts of distributions of THC products, intent to distribute THC products, two counts of possession of prescription legend drugs and money laundering.
Kaur was processed and released on a summons.
Mannu Prasad, 61 years old from Brick was arrested and charged with three counts of conspiracy to distribute THC products, intent to distribute THC products, intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance in the form of Psilocybin and money laundering.
Prasad was processed and released on a summons.
Additionally, the Department of the Treasury and Consumer Affairs conducted an inspection at Welsh Farms and will be filing charges for the sale of expired medication, sale of flavored vape products and attempt to sell or offer for sale merchandise without tag or label.
Pantry Farm will face complaints of sale of expired medication, sale of flavored vape products prohibited, unregistered weighing and measuring device and failure to have registration certificate.
The New Jersey Department of Health and the division of State Lottery will be following up at both locations with an inspection of their own for any other violations, Finelli said.
