STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Bronx man is facing multiple charges following his arrest during a raid on what authorities described as a “concealed smoke shop” in Stapleton.
Ramone Francis, 28, of West 174th Street, was arrested at around 2:20 p.m. at 644 Bay St., according to court documents.
Members of the Sheriff’s Joint Compliance Task Force executed a search warrant at the location, where they recovered 11 sealed bags labeled with images of mushrooms. The bags contained a vegetative substance officers identified as psilocybin and psilocin — the psychoactive compounds found in certain mushroom species — according to the criminal complaint.
In addition, officers recovered about 17 pounds of illicit cannabis and related items. The seizure included 12 pounds of cannabis flower, one pound of THC vape products and four pounds of THC edibles, according to a release from the NYC Office of the Sheriff.
Authorities said the investigation stemmed from community complaints alleging the business was selling cannabis and other products illegally to young people.
Here, members of the NYPD and sheriff’s deputies are conduct a raid on a concealed smoke shop on the 600 block of Bay Street in Stapleton on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. A Bronx man now faces charges.(Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
According to court records, Francis attempted to leave the location by pushing through uniformed officers as they entered. When officers stopped him, he allegedly refused to place his arms behind his back to be handcuffed, tensed his body and flailed his arms in an attempt to avoid being taken into custody.
Francis is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration.
During his arraignment Thursday in state Supreme Court, St. George, Francis pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance, court records show.
An attorney for Francis declined to comment.