New London — Three local convenience stores were closed Thursday after they were found in violation of numerous Department of Labor regulations.

Investigators from the state Department of Labor, the state Department of Revenue Services and New London police jointly investigated violations at the Ravi Mart at 268 Bank St., Sam Store at 1 Ocean Ave. and Ravi Mart at 290 Broad St.

The Department of Labor ordered these establishments to close until further notice.

Nancy Steffens, communications director for the Department of Labor, said the stores did not have worker's compensation, no payroll records to show employees were being paid the correct amount, and that the proper state and federal taxes were being taken out.

The employees were being paid in cash, which is not illegal, but Steffens said there were no payroll records.

Last year, New London police responded to the Ravi Mart on Bank Street and arrested an employee there for selling K2, a form of synthetic marijuana.

Police also went to the Ravi Mart on Broad Street, where an employee there was found in possession of 500 bags of K2.

The investigation is ongoing.