During a raid on an illegal smoke shop in Whitestone, officers seized cannabis and tobacco products that were being sold without a license.
Photo courtesy of @CMvpaladino X
Several illegal smoke shops in College Point and Whitestone were busted Tuesday by the NYC Sheriff’s Department.
Officers seized a “tremendous amount” of flavored nicotine vapes, which are illegal in the state, as well as cannabis products such as edibles and joints that cannot be sold without a state license. The officers were able to fill dozens of large garbage bags with the confiscated products during the afternoon raids.
One of the locations targeted was Whitestone Essentials on 150th Street. The officers from the sheriff’s department, with assistance from the 109th Precinct, simultaneously raided Stoney Smoke Shop just 500 feet down the street in Whitestone.
Two smoke shop owners were arrested and issued criminal court summonses. The officers also issued $192,100 in penalty fines, according to the 109th Precinct.
“The idea here is to make their lives as miserable as I possibly can,” said Council Member Vickie Paladino, who accompanied the officers during the raids in Whitestone. “And that’s what I will continue to do along with the sheriff.”
Thousands of illegal smoke shops, such as those busted Tuesday, have proliferated across the city since the state legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2021, while being slow to issue retail dispensary licenses. The illegal stores appear to be convenience stores that sell regular beverages and snacks but instead peddle illicit products—often to minors—that are not tested or regulated.
The flavored vapes, which were in great supply at the stores busted, are especially popular among young adults and adolescents.
“The amount of flavored vape products and THC edibles seized during these inspections were troubling for the council member and the public to realize,” wrote the NYC Sheriff’s on X.
Prior to the…
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