NYC Authorities Dismantle Million-Dollar Illicit Cannabis Operation In Brooklyn

Unlicensed cannabis took another hit in New York City as authorities in Sheepshead Bay dismantled a large illegal marijuana operation. The distribution center is suspected of supplying products to thousands of unlicensed weed shops across the city. The cops arrested two people and expect more to picked up more as the investigation continues.

Million-Dollar Illicit Cannabis Distribution

Packaging oriented to children with false origin claims, Fruity Pebbles labels and sketchy practices are seen on a video shared by Mayor Eric Adams. NYC Sheriff Anthony Miranda says the bust uncovered a million-dollar illegal cannabis operation with products like dried weed flowers and edibles suspected to have been made with chemical flavors and other potential toxins mixed with concentrated THC.

“Everything that we say presents a certain danger to children and to the health of the people who want to legally participate in the market is at this location,” Miranda stated.

Tonight, we shut down an illegal cannabis distribution operation in Brooklyn as part of "Operation Padlock to Protect" that was clearly targeting children with their packaging.

🛑 If you run an illegal location like this, you're next. We'll shut you down. @NYCSHERIFF pic.twitter.com/WkWWXwbkb0

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 3, 2024

Task Force

Now empowered to padlock illegal weed shops, the sheriff’s office has collected 50 pounds of dried unregistered cannabis as well as misleading packaging materials and phony labels falsely claiming the products originated in California.

“The false labeling, the false packaging, those will be additional felony charges that they will be facing. Now it moves from a civil enforcement to a criminal investigation,” Miranda told ABC7NY.

This operation marks the first illegal cannabis distribution location in the city raided by the task force. Many products featured an elaborate printing press producing colorful labels for edibles.

“This violates every single rule that you can think of that has been constituted by the State Office of Cannabis Management,” he added.

Read Also: NYC Mayor Adams On The Weed Warpath: $6M In Fines, 75 Closures, 4000 Illicit Shop Violations In First Week Of ‘Operation Padlock To Protect’

Operation Padlock

Since May 2024, New York City authorities have been on the warpath against illicit weed. After gaining regulatory power to padlock stores for selling unlicensed cannabis, the NYPD closed more than 75 stores, issued $6 million dollars in fines during the first week. At the moment, there are as many as 3000 unlicensed cannabis shops in NYC alone. This includes stores that might sell cannabis on the side.

Partial reports on the operation has closed down over 300 shops between May 7 and June 3. Meaning that the operation is moving swiftly. Being the first, the closure of a distribution center is a milestone.

• Read Next: Unlicensed Cannabis Sellers Fight Back, Suing NYC For ‘Unconstitutional’ Crackdowns

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