Police: NY man used van in Naugatuck as illegal mobile marijuana dispensary

NAUGATUCK — A New York man was charged last week after police say he used a van as a "mobile dispensary" to sell marijuana. 

The Naugatuck Police Department received complaints on Feb. 2 and 3 about the van soliciting near the Walmart on New Haven Road. The driver of the van, which was covered in decals of marijuana leaves and advertising as a "mobile dispensary," was "openly advertising and selling marijuana," police said in an arrest report. 

"The investigation revealed the accused was selling marijuana and CBD-related items with no sales or dispensary permits whatsoever. It is illegal to sell THC-related items, including CBD from a vehicle and there are no such permits," police said. 

Police said they talked to the driver, a 25-year-old man from Jamaica, N.Y., and found he was selling marijuana and CBD-related items. He did not have any sales or dispensary permits, making the business illegal, police noted. 

The man was charged with fourth-degree money laundering, conspiracy to commit fourth-degree money laundering, illegal sales without a sales tax permit, violating a town ordinance, sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit the sale of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $5,000 and he is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Waterbury on March 2. 

Liz Hardaway may be reached at liz.hardaway@hearst.com