An unlicensed Forest Hills cannabis shop located near a public park and a junior high school has been padlocked following a raid by law enforcement, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.
More than 30 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of more than $38,200, were confiscated along with hundreds of packages of cannabis products following a search of The Smoke Shop at 103-17 Queens Blvd.
“Our communities, particularly our children, must remain safe from the dangers posed by unlicensed, unregulated marijuana products in our neighborhoods,” Katz said.
According to the investigation, surveillance operations revealed an ongoing illegal sale of cannabis and related products through a roll-down steel gate at The Smoke House. Each night, at around 8 p.m., the store’s gate opened, and customers entered to purchase the illicit products that were prominently displayed throughout the shop.
A search of the location was conducted by officers from the NYPD, the NYC Sheriff’s Office, and the DA’s Detective Squad at around 8 p.m. on Jan. 10. Law enforcement recovered 31.8 pounds of marijuana flower, hundreds of packages containing cannabis gummies, flavored vapes, THC vapes, pre-rolls, and edibles, as well as $4,713 in cash and a set of brass knuckles.
“Recently, a shop situated two blocks away from Yellowstone Park and Russell Sage Junior High School became a focal point of community concerns, prompting my office to carry out surveillance and enforcement efforts,” Katz said.
The operation at The Smoke Shop was part of the DA’s ongoing crackdown against illegal cannabis dispensaries operating across the borough in trucks and vans and in brick-and-mortar commercial locations.
Since November 2022, enforcement operations have resulted in the prosecution of 313 individuals for felony-related charges for the sale and/or possession of cannabis or controlled substances in Queens, according to the DA’s office. More than 6,500 pounds of cannabis edibles — including gummies and candy bars — more than 10,000 pounds of marijuana flower, hundreds of packages of edible psilocybin — hallucinogen known as magic mushrooms or shrooms — and more than 17,000 cannabis vape “pens” have been seized during raids with an estimated combined value in excess of $25 million, have been seized from more than 400 suspected illegal cannabis dispensaries across Queens. The DA also initiated eviction proceedings under the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law against stores operating as illegal smoke shops
“These illicit dispensaries not only evade tax obligations but also jeopardize the livelihood of licensed sellers who adhere to safety and compliance standards,” Katz said. “My office will continue to ensure public safety and compliance across the borough.”
According to the DA’s office, 272 illegal smoke shops have been shuttered across Queens since July 2024, with the assistance of the NYC Sheriff’s Office and the NYPD.
