The Big Star bodega at 129 Barbour Street in Hartford is shut down indefinitely and the owner is in police custody after an unannounced inspection revealed numerous violations and illegal activity, including selling synthetic drugs and bootleg DVDs, according to police.
Officials from the Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Revenue Services, Dept. of Environmental Protection and the Hartford Health Department conducted the inspection around 10:15 a.m. Dec. 19.
Investigators discovered labor law violations and found that the bodega had been selling synthetic marijuana, bootleg DVDs and selling liquor without a permit.
The owner, 23-year-old Noemi Ramirez of Mather Street, was taken into custody and is facing a string of charges, including dispensing alcohol without a permit, possession of a hallucinogenic substance, possession of a hallucinogenic with intent to sell, sale of bootleg DVDs, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school.
Police said investigators also confiscated 227 bags of synthetic marijuana and dozens of other illegal items.
