Illegitimate cannabis retailers in Queens, New York, were shut down by the District Attorney's Office, with over hundreds of pounds of marijuana confiscated.
In a joint operation between the NYPD and the Queens District Attorney's Office, Operation Weed Whacker, a months-long investigation, has resulted in the padlocking of six illegal cannabis shops in Queens. This enforcement effort, which took place recently, saw the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of hundreds of pounds of cannabis, tobacco products, and related paraphernalia.
The operation, aimed at enforcing cannabis and tobacco regulations in Queens, led to the seizure of 130 pounds of cannabis flower, 74 pounds of edibles, and 173 pounds of flavored tobacco vapes. Additionally, 110 pounds of vapes were also seized during the operation.
Three of the arrested individuals were arraigned on criminal charges related to cannabis possession: Mahmud Hossain (24, Queens Village), Michael Deblasio (34, Woodhaven), and Hemyar Naji (34, Brooklyn). The attorney information for the fourth individual was not immediately available.
The city's crackdown on unlicensed smoke shops has led to a significant number of arrests and thousands of violations since July 2024. In fact, since November 2022, prosecutors in Queens have brought felony charges against 445 people for selling or possessing cannabis or controlled substances.
The six newly shuttered stores are part of the broader city crackdown on unlicensed cannabis shops. This crackdown comes after numerous dispensaries were found to have violated state rules by being too close to schools, as was the case last month.
Borough President Melinda Katz, who announced the operation's results, stated that illegal cannabis stores pose a threat to community safety and to the individuals who purchase their products. Katz's office also announced that they would continue these enforcement actions against illegal cannabis stores in the future.
The name of the district attorney coordinating the operation against illegal cannabis trade in Queens was not mentioned in the provided search results. However, Katz's office emphasised their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Queens residents by enforcing cannabis and tobacco regulations.
