Posted on: November 04, 2024 04:16 AM

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Unlicensed cannabis shop in Sunnyside shut down by NYPD

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the closure of an unlicensed cannabis shop that operated near the Thomas A. Noonan Playground on Greenpoint Avenue in Sunnyside. A woman working at the shop was charged with criminal sale of cannabis and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

District Attorney Katz said: “This shop, which was located across the street from a playground, had become the subject of numerous community complaints. We will continue our enforcement actions on unlicensed marijuana dealers who sell unregulated products that are often targeted to children. These dispensaries also fail to pay tax revenue for public services and undermine licensed sellers who prioritize safety and compliance.”

Currently, there are 226 licensed adult recreational-use cannabis dispensaries open in New York state, including 21 in Queens. There are 39 state-authorized medical marijuana dispensaries, including three in Queens.

Estefania Palaquibay, 22, of 91st Drive in Woodhaven was arraigned Saturday on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, criminal sale of cannabis in the third degree and unlawful possession of cannabis. Judge Germaine Auguste ordered Palaquibay to return to court on January 7, 2025.

According to the charges, on November 1, detectives from District Attorney Katz’s office and NYPD officers executed a court-authorized search warrant at the Green Point Convenience Corp. at 42-18 Greenpoint Avenue in Sunnyside.

Detectives recovered a large quantity cannabis flower in a glass container and cannabis infused edibles. Palaquibay was also found to have psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” in her bag.

This operation is part of the District Attorney’s ongoing effort to rid Queens of illegal cannabis dispensaries, whether operating out of trucks and vans or brick-and-mortar commercial locations.

Since November 2022, enforcement operations have resulted in the prosecution of 313 individuals for felony-related charges related to the sale and/or possession of cannabis or controlled substances in Queens.

To date, the following items – with an estimated combined value of more than $23 million – have been seized from more than 400 suspected illegal cannabis dispensaries in Queens County:

• More than 5,000 pounds of cannabis edibles, including gummies and candy bars
• More than 7,750 pounds of cannabis flower
• Hundreds of packages of edible psylocibin
• Over 15.500 cannabis vape “pens”

District Attorney Katz has also initiated eviction proceedings pursuant to the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law stores operating as illegal smoke shops.

A total of 208 shops in Queens County have been padlocked since July 2024 through the assistance of the New York City Sheriff’s Office and the NYPD.

(From Queens DA)