Four men were arrested and charged with criminal possession of cannabis and illegally selling narcotics after officers from the 109th Precinct conducted a search warrant at a smoke shop in College Point on Friday, April 7.
Illegal narcotics were confiscated from Smoke Base Smoke Shop, located at 14-21 College Point Blvd., according to police. The smoke shop sells a variety of products from vapes, flavors and CBD.
Bryan Morales, 22, of 94th Street East Elmhurst, was charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance; criminal possession of cannabis in the third degree; and criminal possession in the seventh degree of a controlled substance. Abreu Miguel, 21, of 118th Street in College Point, was charged with criminal possession of cannabis in the third degree. Jourdan Castro, 23, of 154th Street in Whitestone, was charged with criminal possession of cannabis in the third degree.And Anthony Rivas, 22, of Crocheron Avenue, in Bayside, was charged with criminal possession of cannabis in the third degree.
While she applauded the work of the officers at the 109th Precinct, Councilwoman Vickie Paladino said the smoke shop has already reopened.
“Illegal narcotics were confiscated and multiple arrests were made, but that is not enough to keep these places closed for good,” Paladino said. “Nuisance abatements can take months, and in the meantime, the community has to put up with these bad neighbors. What a shame!”
