Cops: Suffolk CBD purveyor's 4 stores shut down over alleged illegal weed sales

A chain of Suffolk County businesses promoted as purveyors of non-hallucinogenic CBD products has been shut down for allegedly selling marijuana illegally, and seven people face related drug and weapons charges, the police said late Thursday.

The four establishments, all in business under the nameOrganically Connected, are in Huntington, Patchogue, Port Jeffer son and Ronkonkoma, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a news release.

On its website, the company promotes the benefits of cannabis-derived CBD and bills itself as a "trusted destination for premium hemp products crafted with care and expertise." The website also includes a reviews section where apparent customers discuss buying CBD products at the stores, but also marijuana in multiple forms.

After a string of "community complaints," Suffolk police narcotics detectives, the district attorney's office and state and federal law enforcement  officials conducted an investigation into the stores, the release said.

During the raids, police seized more than 100 pounds of cannabis, cannabis products, edibles, hallucinogens and more than $50,000, the release said.

All four businesses were shut down.

Suffolk police arrested seven individuals at the various shops, two of whom — Ivalisse Avila, 24, of Selden, and Eleanor Dlouhy, 23, of Coram, — were charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, the police said. Avila and Dlouhy were being held overnight for arraignment Friday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Alexandra Akhalkatsi, 37, of the Bronx, and Kalea Wetsell, 21, of Coram, were arrested and charged with second-degree criminal possession of cannabis, police said. Maxime Boucard, 43, of Brentwood, was arrested and charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and security guard without a license, Suffolk police said. Andres Santos, 43, of Huntington, was arrested and charged with obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, false personation and security guard without a license. Curtis Thompson, 38, of Coram, was arrested and charged with security guard without a license. All five were issued desk appearance tickets and scheduled for arraignment at First District Court at a later date.

It was not immediately known late Thursday if any of the seven people arrested had retained defense attorneys. No one answered when Newsday called a phone number listed on Organically Connected's website, and an email request for comment had not received a response as of 11 p.m. Thursday.