Rockland county smoke shops guilty after cops find 405 pounds of illegal cannabis
Police at Crime Scene

Rockland County Smoke Shops Guilty After Cops Find 405 Pounds of Illegal Cannabis

by
July 12, 2024

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II has announced the conclusion of a year-long investigation into several Rockland County smoke shops, with three individuals and five corporations pleading guilty to charges of criminal tax fraud. The pleas were entered before Judge Kevin Russo on July 10.

The investigation, which involved multiple agencies including the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, and local police, culminated in the execution of search warrants at seven locations on March 4. These locations included two smoke shops in the Town of Clarkstown, two in the Town of Orangetown, one in the Village of Suffern, a business, and a private residence in Clarkstown.

As a result of these searches, authorities seized over $415,000 and 405 pounds of cannabis. The Zava stores involved in these searches were found to be operating without a license to sell cannabis in New York.

Individuals Ibrahim Alfalahi, Abdo Alquhshi, and Sadek Alfalahi pleaded guilty to varying degrees of criminal tax fraud. The five corporations, all affiliated with Zava and operating at different addresses in Rockland County, each pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal tax fraud, a C felony.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital news organization covering New Jersey, national politics, public policy, public safety, and community affairs. With years of experience reporting on local government, elections, law enforcement, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey, Stilton has built a reputation for delivering timely news, in-depth reporting, and accountability journalism.

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