A smoke shop, operating next to a day care, was shut down after state investigators seized 220 pounds of illegal cannabis products, worth an estimated $1.4 million.
The smoke shop opened last fall on Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn and was shut down by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management three weeks ago.
Neighbors had complained for weeks, with some saying the smoke was so strong they “could barely breathe.”
Officials say the product seized was clearly illegal and was all untested and unlicensed.
Neighbors filed a complaint after the grand opening sign popped up out of nowhere in October without any public notice.
“It was right next to a day care, that in and of itself, you know, obviously, it raises the level because it’s an illegal operation,” said Daniel Haughney with the NYS Office of Cannabis Management.
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management said the bust was part of a broader enforcement effort that targeted illicit operations in both Brooklyn and Dutchess County.
Illicit growing, processing and selling operation shut down in Rhinebeck, New York, according to OCM. New York State Office of Cannabis Management
In total, officials say more than $2 million in illegal products were recovered.
The Brooklyn raid took place Jan. 30, when OCM’s Enforcement and Investigations Division executed a court approved access order. Investigators found vacuum sealed bags of cannabis flower packaged to resemble popular cookie brands, along with edibles, concentrates and pre rolls. The shop was issued a notice of violation and padlocked.
“Illegal cannabis shops, especially those that operate where children gather, will not be tolerated,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “New York State has rules in place that protect the health and safety of New Yorkers, and we will continue to take decisive action to shut down illegal operations that put our communities at risk.”
Legal dispensaries, state officials noted, are required to verify customer ages and restrict the visibility of products from store windows, rules the Brooklyn shop violated.
A second enforcement action on Feb. 10 targeted an illicit grow and processing site in Rhinebeck. Investigators seized 105 pounds of cannabis flower, 73 pounds of illegal edibles and 5 pounds of concentrate, valued at more than $900,000. That location was also ordered sealed.
“These enforcement actions send a clear message that illegal cannabis operations anywhere in New York will be investigated and dealt with,” Haughney said. “Whether in major cities like New York or in rural communities like Rhinebeck, our investigators work every day to shut illegal operators down.”
OCM said it has now closed 22 illegal cannabis shops so far in 2026, adding to the 557 illicit storefronts already shut down across the state.
Residents can report suspected unlicensed cannabis activity at cannabis.ny.gov/report-an-incident.
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