An unlicensed cannabis storefront on Queens Boulevard was hit with the ultimate lockout Wednesday, after police officers seized more than 200 pounds of suspected illegal product and promptly slapped a padlock on the door, officials said.
The shutdown, announced on social media, was the result of a coordinated sweep that brought together local precinct officers and several city enforcement teams.
According to a post from Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, which amplified a message from the NYPD's 112th Precinct, officers "assisted in the closure" of the shop and reported that "over 200 pounds were confiscated." Katz's post also cited the involvement of the New York City Sheriff's Office and the NYPD Quality of Life Division in the action.
Joint enforcement effort and ongoing crackdown
The raid appears to be part of the Queens DA's long-running push to shutter unlicensed dispensaries across the borough, a campaign that has yielded a string of large hauls in recent months.
In March, the Queens District Attorney's Office detailed a separate raid in Laurelton that turned up more than 700 pounds of illicit cannabis and tobacco products, underscoring just how much contraband officials say is moving through these storefronts.
Queens Boulevard has already seen similar crackdowns. ABC7 previously reported that officers shut down a Forest Hills shop called "The Smoke House" and seized roughly 30 pounds of marijuana along with hundreds of packaged products. Officials have said those closures were driven in part by complaints about safety and about cannabis products packaged to look like candy.
Legal questions over padlocking
The city's reliance on padlocks to seal suspected illegal cannabis shops has not gone unchallenged in court. In October 2024, a judge ruled that a local law used to padlock stores violated due process, a decision city officials have appealed, according to the AP.
How neighbors can report suspected shops
The Queens District Attorney's Office has urged residents who suspect illegal cannabis activity to share tips by calling 718-286-6503 or emailing [email protected], according to a prior release from the Queens District Attorney's Office.
The social media post announcing Wednesday's Queens Boulevard closure did not list any arrests or charges connected to the operation.
