QUEENS, NY — A sweeping undercover operation targeting six illegal cannabis shops across Queens has led to four arrests, the padlocking of each storefront, and the seizure of hundreds of pounds of unlicensed weed, edibles, vapes, and tobacco, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Wednesday.
Dubbed “Operation Weed Whacker,” the monthslong investigation involved coordinated undercover buys and enforcement actions between the DA’s office, the NYPD, and the NYC Sheriff’s Office. The operation resulted in the removal of a significant amount of illicit product from unregulated shops operating in neighborhoods including Hollis, Flushing, Cambria Heights, and Sunnyside.
Mahmud Hossain, 24, of Queens Village, is facing the most serious charges after allegedly being found with enough cannabis to warrant a first-degree possession charge. He was arraigned last month and faces up to 7 years in prison if convicted. Two others — Michael Deblasio, 32, of Woodhaven, and Hemyar Naji, 34, of Brooklyn — face second-degree cannabis possession charges. A fourth person was issued a desk appearance ticket.
The targeted storefronts — Hollis Convenience, Moonrocks, No Limit, ZaZa Exotic (Linden Green Farms Inc.), Sunnyside Clouds, and Fumes Puff — were shut down between July 16 and August 14. All six locations were found to be operating without licenses and selling unregulated products, according to prosecutors.
Investigators confiscated a total of 130 pounds of cannabis flower, 110 pounds of cannabis vapes, 74 pounds of cannabis edibles, and 173 pounds of flavored tobacco vapes — all illegal for retail sale under New York law without proper licensing and regulation.
District Attorney Katz cited safety concerns over the unregulated nature of products sold in illegal shops, especially to minors, and emphasized the need to protect both communities and licensed cannabis businesses trying to operate within the law.
All three arraigned defendants are due back in court this fall. The operation is part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal cannabis retail throughout the borough.
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Key Points
- Queens DA shut down six illegal cannabis shops in borough-wide raid named Operation Weed Whacker
- Four people were arrested and hundreds of pounds of illegal weed and tobacco products were seized
- Three individuals face felony cannabis possession charges and are due in court this fall
Illegal weed shops across Queens padlocked in DA’s massive bust targeting unlicensed sales and dangerous products.