In a coordinated operation in the Bronx, New York authorities arrested nearly a dozen individuals aged 22 to 65 following a raid on an unlicensed cannabis market operating under the name Budzotic smoke shop. CBS News reports that officials seized roughly $3.2 million worth of illegal cannabis products.
Officials expressed their concerns about the health risks posed by these unregulated businesses. "Unlicensed cannabis operations like this pose a significant health risk," said New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry in a statement obtained by ABC7NY. The New York City Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the NYPD's Bronx Narcotics unit, has been involved in Operation Padlock, a citywide initiative focused on closing over 1,500 illegal smoke shops.
Budzotic employed a complex password system to control access following a previous shutdown. However, authorities were able to seize large amounts of cannabis flower, THC vapes, concentrates, and edibles from the operation. Additionally, officials discovered what is believed to be crystal methamphetamine among the store's inventory.
Despite the closure of the primary location, the drug den appeared to make a resurgence next door. "The location was closed for some time, they came back," New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda told ABC7NY. In response to the continued flouting of law, Deputy Mayor Daughtry warned, "If they open back up again and they're doing illegal stuff again then we're going to keep shutting them down."
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the operation shows signs of decline under law enforcement efforts. Both locations linked to Budzotic have been partially vacated following the recent raid, with city officials maintaining their enforcement against unlicensed cannabis businesses.
