As a result of cooperation between local residents and Boston Police, arrests were made at the recently opened King Smoke Shop located at 600 East Broadway in South Boston, which is in the vicinity of I Street and Emerson Street. Residents; some of whom are parents, had complained to police and to local elected officials that they believed illegal sales of drugs were taking place in the shop. These complaints and concerns prompted police to investigate the activities there which resulted in the arrests of 2.
Here is the official report issued by the Boston Police this past Tuesday, February 12th, 2019
BPD Officers Arrest Store Clerk for Unlawful Sales of Marijuana Cigarettes and Edibles in South Boston
“Acting on several complaints and concerns relative to the unlawful sale of marijuana and marijuana infused edibles out of the King Smoke Shop at 600 East Broadway in South Boston, detectives assigned to District C-6 in South Boston with help from both the detectives of District C-6 (South Boston) and District A-1 (Downtown)Drug Control Units initiated an investigation to better understand the facts and circumstances fueling the concerns. As a result of the investigation, which included under cover purchases of marijuana inside the store, officers were able to accumulate sufficient evidence and cause to charge 2 employees of the establishment with unlawful sale of marijuana. On today’s date, February 11th, 2019, an officer working in an undercover capacity entered the establishment and purchased several marijuana cigarettes.
In light of the illegal purchases, investigators arrested Saquib Imran, 38 of Brockton and charged him with the possession with intent to distribute a Class D Drug (marijuana). Additionally, officers charged the owner of the store Tanveer Shah, 61 of Bellingham, RI with possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance (marijuana) and a Class C drug (THC). Soon after the arrest, a search warrant was obtained to properly quantify and catalogue the store’s illegal marijuana inventory. During the search, officers were able to locate and confiscate multiple marijuana cigarettes and marijuana edibles and candies.
The following is a list of items confiscated by police from King Smoke Shop: 60 bags of edible marijuana candies, 67 vials of THC. 26 Moon rock marijuana containers, 95 marijuana cigarettes and over a thousand dollars in US Currency.”
Both suspects were scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, February 12th, but the arraignment has been rescheduled to next Tuesday, February 19th to give time for an interpreter to be present.
City Councilor Ed Flynn who had been monitoring the situation stated the following: “Great work by the residents and the parents who brought the information to the police. The King Smoke Shop has been the subject of discussion among some local residents since it opened; some of whom supported it and others who opposed it.
South Boston Today will keep our readers informed of any updates to the story.
