Sep. 18, 2024 By Anthony Medina Council Member Robert Holden, representing neighborhoods in City Council District 30 — which includes Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, Rego Park and parts of Ridgewood — has announced the closure of four illegal smoke shops in the district as part of Operation Padlock to Protect. “Operation Padlock to Protect,” a…
Tag: illegal-smoke-shops
More illegal smoke shops shutter in Central Queens: Council Member Holden introduces new online tool to report illegal stores
Aug. 13, 2024 By Anthony Medina The NYC Sheriff’s Office and NYPD busted two additional illegal smoke shop operations in Rego Park and Maspeth late last month, adding to the hundreds of smoke shops shuttered across the city as part of ‘Operation Padlock to Protect.’ ‘Operation Padlock to Protect,’ a multi-agency task force comprised…
Over 195 illegal smoke shops shut down in Queens since May, hundreds throughout the five boroughs
Aug. 2, 2024 By Anthony Medina A targeted operation launched in May to shut down illegal smoke shops has led to the shuttering of over 195 locations in Queens and hundreds more throughout the five boroughs, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced at a press conference in the Bronx Wednesday. The Mayor’s announcement…
Queens crackdown continues: CM Joann Ariola advances efforts to shut down illegal smoke shops
Jun. 10, 2024 By Anthony Medina The New York City Sheriff’s Department shuttered ten illegal smoke shops within Councilwoman Joann Ariola’s district last month, according to exclusive information shared by her office. Ariola, who represents neighborhoods in south and central Queens, such as Howard Beach and Glendale, has remained a staunch proponent of further restrictions…
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Assemblymember Rajkumar’s ‘Operation Smokeout’ gains momentum: rallying for passage of ‘SMOKEOUT Act’ to combat illegal smoke shops in NYC
Apr. 2, 2024 By Anthony Medina An ‘Operation Smokeout’ campaign spearheaded by Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar has brought multiple rallies across the city to advocate for passage of the “SMOKEOUT Act,” ahead of the bill’s anticipated success this month. Rajkumar, who represents District 38 in the New York State Assembly, introduced the SMOKEOUT Act early this…
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Queens lawmakers back new law that cracks down on illegal smoke shops by fining property owners
Aug. 15, 2023 By Bill Parry While it remains difficult to pinpoint the exact number of illegal smoke shops and unlicensed cannabis dispensaries that have proliferated across Queens, it is estimated that more than 8,000 are operating citywide. On Monday a new law was enacted that gives the authorities the power to fine landlords for…
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