Three Arrested in Middletown Smoke Shop Raids; 62 Lbs of THC, Kratom Seized

Three Smoke Shop Employees Arrested in Middletown Compliance Raids

Three smoke shop employees were arrested in Middletown on March 14, 2026, after compliance checks by local and state authorities uncovered more than 62 pounds of illegal THC products and synthetic Kratom across three separate stores.

The Middletown Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection conducted the joint operation, targeting Vape Vault on Main Street, Smoke Shop on Washington Street, and Smoke Plus on Washington Street. Each location had a single employee on duty who, according to investigators, maintained care and custody of the contraband.

Arrests and Charges

The three individuals arrested were identified as:

• Briana Rosario, 20, arrested at Vape Vault on Main Street
• Yaritza Manzueta, 23, arrested at Smoke Shop on Washington Street
• Omar Fantauzzi, 38, arrested at Smoke Plus on Washington Street

All three were charged with possession of a controlled substance. The investigation remains ongoing.

Quantities Seized at Each Location

Authorities disclosed the following seizures at each store:

Vape Vault (Main Street):

• 2.599 pounds of illegal THC/cannabis products

Smoke Shop (Washington Street):

• 32.768 pounds of illegal THC/cannabis products

Smoke Plus (Washington Street):

• 27.262 pounds of illegal THC/cannabis products
• 26,400 capsules
• 34,500 grams of powder
• 14 pounds of liquid
• 10 pounds of synthetic Kratom, which is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under Connecticut law

In total, investigators removed more than 62 pounds of THC products from the three locations, along with the Kratom and associated materials at Smoke Plus.

Middletown's Role in Statewide Enforcement

The joint operation reflects an ongoing enforcement priority for the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, which has increased compliance check activity at smoke shops and vape retailers across the state. Synthetic Kratom is classified as a Schedule 1 drug in Connecticut, meaning it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse under state law.

Illegal THC products sold at smoke shops and vape stores typically refer to cannabis-derived products that fall outside Connecticut's licensed recreational marijuana framework, which is overseen by the Department of Consumer Protection's cannabis division. Unlicensed THC sales bypass the state's testing, labeling, and age-verification requirements.

Middletown is a city of approximately 48,000 residents in Middlesex County. The three shops targeted in Friday's compliance sweep are located along the city's main commercial corridors on Main Street and Washington Street.

What Comes Next

Officials stated the investigation remains ongoing. Court dates for Rosario, Manzueta, and Fantauzzi had not been publicly scheduled at the time of reporting. No statements from the stores' ownership or legal representatives were available.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has broad authority to conduct compliance checks at tobacco, vape, and smoke retail establishments. Violations can result in civil penalties, license suspension, and criminal referrals depending on the nature and severity of the offense.

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