Three illegal marijuana businesses shut down in New York

A recent investigation led police in New York to shut down three illegal marijuana dispensaries in the North Country.Officials held a press conference on Thursday in Plattsburgh regarding Operation Weed Out with police calling the initiative a remarkable success.”Let this operation serve as a warning,” said John Sarcone, First Assistant United States Attorney.The Drug Enforcement Administration is leading the investigation. Seven locations in the North Country were targeted in the operation, including three unlicensed businesses, three homes and one warehouse.The businesses that were targeted in Massena are now closed and subject to forfeiture.”In the last five years, this revolving door of crime that has been devastating to the upstate communities with this Cashless Bail Law,” said Sarcone.More than 1,000 pounds of marijuana, plants and THC products were taken, along with suspected methamphetamine, cash and illegal guns.”The evidence seized from these illegal dispensaries demonstrates the scale and seriousness of these operations,” said Sarcone.The operation’s goal is to clean up the North Country to keep New Yorkers safe.”This operation was about more than just seizures,” said Farhana Islam, DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent. “It’s about securing our Northern Border, protecting our neighborhoods and targeting those individuals and organizations that threaten the safety and security of our communities.”Officials said this massive seizure was only made possible by the partnership between federal and local law enforcement agencies.”The team had a very intricate part in the search itself to be able to assist in recovering an awful lot of the evidence you see behind me,” said Clinton County Sheriff David Favro.Task force officers from the Plattsburgh Police Department and Clinton County Sheriff Department worked on the operation. Officials said Operation Weed Out is only the beginning.”We’re not done, in fact and in many ways, we’ve just begun,” said Craig Tremaroli, FBI Special Agent.Officials said the investigation is still pending.

NEW YORK —

A recent investigation led police in New York to shut down three illegal marijuana dispensaries in the North Country.

Officials held a press conference on Thursday in Plattsburgh regarding Operation Weed Out with police calling the initiative a remarkable success.

“Let this operation serve as a warning,” said John Sarcone, First Assistant United States Attorney.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is leading the investigation. Seven locations in the North Country were targeted in the operation, including three unlicensed businesses, three homes and one warehouse.

The businesses that were targeted in Massena are now closed and subject to forfeiture.

“In the last five years, this revolving door of crime that has been devastating to the upstate communities with this Cashless Bail Law,” said Sarcone.

More than 1,000 pounds of marijuana, plants and THC products were taken, along with suspected methamphetamine, cash and illegal guns.

“The evidence seized from these illegal dispensaries demonstrates the scale and seriousness of these operations,” said Sarcone.

The operation’s goal is to clean up the North Country to keep New Yorkers safe.

“This operation was about more than just seizures,” said Farhana Islam, DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent. “It’s about securing our Northern Border, protecting our neighborhoods and targeting those individuals and organizations that threaten the safety and security of our communities.”

Officials said this massive seizure was only made possible by the partnership between federal and local law enforcement agencies.

“The team had a very intricate part in the search itself to be able to assist in recovering an awful lot of the evidence you see behind me,” said Clinton County Sheriff David Favro.

Task force officers from the Plattsburgh Police Department and Clinton County Sheriff Department worked on the operation.

Officials said Operation Weed Out is only the beginning.

“We’re not done, in fact and in many ways, we’ve just begun,” said Craig Tremaroli, FBI Special Agent.

Officials said the investigation is still pending.