QUEENS, NY — A mobile cannabis dispensary operating without a license near a school and playground in Rego Park has been shut down following an undercover investigation, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Wednesday.
The van, which was parked under the Long Island Expressway on Woodhaven Boulevard, had been under surveillance for several weeks after multiple community complaints. District Attorney detective investigators conducted undercover purchases, which led to the execution of a search warrant on April 16.
During the search, members of the NYPD and the New York City Sheriff’s Office recovered four pounds of leaf cannabis, over one pound of concentrated cannabis, and a range of edibles packaged to resemble candy. The NYPD towed the vehicle from the scene.
Three individuals were taken into custody and charged with sale and possession of cannabis. Their names have not been released as the investigation continues.
DA highlights aggressive enforcement in Queens
“This illegal cannabis truck was parked just across the street from a school and a few hundred feet from a playground,” said District Attorney Katz. “We will not relent in our aggressive enforcement actions against unlicensed dealers who sell unregulated products that are targeted to children.”
Since November 2022, the Queens DA’s Office has seized over $25 million in products from more than 400 suspected illegal cannabis dispensaries throughout the borough.
Key Points
- An unlicensed cannabis truck was shut down near a school and park in Rego Park, Queens.
- Authorities seized more than five pounds of cannabis products and arrested three individuals.
- Queens DA has seized $25 million in products from over 400 unlicensed dispensaries since 2022.
District Attorney Katz urged residents to report suspected illegal dispensaries by calling 718-286-6503 or emailing CannabisTips@queensda.org.
A Queens cannabis bust near a school adds to the growing crackdown on unlicensed weed sellers across the borough.