Brick Township police said a lengthy investigation by the department’s Street Crimes Unit found that Welsh Farms, at 1765 Route 88, and Pantry Farm, at 2085 Route 88, were selling and distributing illegal THC products.[1] Search warrants were executed at both stores on 14 December 2023.[2] Both stores were shut down after the searches.[2]

Sarajbit Kaur, 46, of Brick, the owner and operator of Welsh Farms, was arrested and charged with five counts of distributing THC products, intent to distribute THC products, two counts of possession of prescription legend drugs and money laundering.[2] Mannu Prasad, 61, of Brick, the owner and operator of Pantry Farm, was arrested and charged with three counts of conspiracy to distribute THC products, intent to distribute THC products, intent to distribute psilocybin and money laundering.[2] Kaur and Prasad were processed and released on summonses.[1]

Patrol Officer Victoria Finelli, a police spokesperson, said more charges were anticipated.[2]

Welsh Farms was inspected by the Treasury and Consumer Affairs inspectors, who were filing charges of selling expired medication, selling flavored vape products, which are prohibited, and attempting to sell merchandise without a tag or label.[2] The Pantry Farm inspection was expected to result in charges of selling expired medication, selling prohibited flavored vape products, having an unregistered weighing and measuring device and failure to have a registration certificate.[2] The New Jersey Department of Health and the Division of State Lottery were to follow up with their own inspections at both locations for any other violations.[1]

Cannabis is legal for recreational use and sale in New Jersey but must be sold through a licensed store, and Brick has previously prohibited recreational cannabis sales by ordinance.[3]

Brick police cited the owners of both stores, and owners of licensed vape and dispensary businesses told News 12 that black-market sales undercut them because the products are untaxed and unregulated.[4] Vincent Mattia, owner of NJ Vapor Vault, said black-market sellers “are not paying their taxes, and they’re not getting observed and watched”.[4]