Bronx, NY – A Bronx smoke shop has been padlocked after NYC Sheriff’s deputies uncovered nearly 100 pounds of cannabis and other contraband hidden behind a fake tiled wall during an inspection.
According to the NYC Sheriff’s Office, the bust was part of Operation Padlock to Protect, a citywide effort targeting unlicensed cannabis sales. Deputies recovered 95.8 pounds of cannabis products and 244.2 pounds of flavored vape items and other tobacco products during the raid.
Officials said the shop was operating less than 200 feet from a church and within a half mile of an elementary school—violating New York City law requiring cannabis retail stores to be at least 500 feet from school grounds.
Photographs released by authorities show boxes and bags filled with marijuana products, many hidden inside a secret compartment disguised as a tiled wall. Deputies sealed and padlocked the shop immediately after the raid.
Cannabis laws in New York allow legal dispensaries to operate, but only under strict licensing and zoning requirements. The Office of Cannabis Management has repeatedly warned that illegal operators near schools and places of worship put communities at risk.
Residents in the Bronx have expressed growing concerns over unlicensed shops, which officials say undercut legitimate businesses while failing to follow safety and compliance rules.
The NYC Sheriff’s Office said enforcement actions like this will continue across the city as part of ongoing crackdowns on unlicensed cannabis stores.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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