An unlicensed storefront dispensary operation out of two locations on Merrick Boulevard in Laurelton were padlocked as part of an ongoing joint enforcement effort dubbed Operation Weed Whacker, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday. A court-authorized search of the premises resulted in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit cannabis and tobacco products as well as a machete and a total of five arrests.

On Thursday, March 19, the Queens DA’s Detective Bureau, officers from the 116th Precinct and the NYC Sheriff Cannabis Task Force raided two locations that were operating jointly as a single unlicensed cannabis dispensary at 217-09 and 216-17 Merrick Blvd.

As alleged, the operators dispensed and stored cannabis products in one location that appeared to be a shuttered storefront. A second nearby storefront — with signage for a driving school — served as the main location for cannabis transactions with customers. Five defendants were arrested on-site and charged with varying crimes related to criminal possession of cannabis. A total of 100 pounds of cannabis flower, 95 pounds of cannabis vapes, 350 pounds of cannabis edibles, 312 pounds of illegal flavored tobacco vapes and 30 pounds of other tobacco products were seized from the location.

“Unregulated cannabis storefronts continue to pose a serious threat to the safety of our communities, with operators going to increasingly sophisticated lengths to conceal illegal products and evade law enforcement,” Katz said. “Many of the seized items are deliberately packaged to mimic popular candy and pastry brands and are clearly intended to attract and appeal to young people.”

The Laurelton operation is part of the DA’s ongoing effort to rid Queens of illegal dispensaries whether operating out of trucks and vans or brick-and-mortar commercial businesses. Since November 2022, enforcement efforts have resulted in the prosecution of 467 individuals for felony-related charges related to the sale and/or possession of cannabis or controlled substances in Queens. A total of 345 shops have been padlocked across the borough since May 2024 through the assistance of the NYC Sheriff’s Office, the NYPD and the New York State Police — Queens Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

“I thank members of my Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau, Detective Bureau, Major Economics Crimes Bureau and our partners at the New York City Sheriff’s Office and the NYPD for their ongoing dedication to this work,” Katz said.