NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) –Mayor Eric Adams issued letters on Monday to landlords of 50 buildings across the five boroughs, targeting those who allow their properties to be used for illegal smoke shops, in an effort to combat unlicensed operations.
These letters sent by the New York City Sheriff's Office Joint Compliance Task Force to Address Illegal Smoke Shops warn of daily penalties of up to $1,000 and potential forced evictions if the landlords continue to permit the unlicensed sale of cannabis or tobacco products.
The letter also states that unlicensed sales of tobacco or cannabis products could be considered illegal activity, enabling the city to shut down those businesses effectively.
"Our administration is using every tool available to protect young people and all New Yorkers from dangerous, illegal cannabis and tobacco products, while sending a clear message that anyone helping these illegal, unlicensed shops spread throughout our communities will be held accountable," Adams said.
Officials explained that the purpose of the letters is to educate landlords and offer them an opportunity for corrective action.
The task force has already imposed over $7 million in penalties at these 50 locations, including approximately $3.9 million in illegal products seized and nearly $3.2 million in civil penalties.
The task force consists of the Sheriff's Office, the NYPD, and the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement.
"To support the emerging, legal cannabis market, we must go after the bad actors who are breaking the law," Adams said. "Our interagency task force is coming together to keep our communities safe."
The task force will review unlicensed smoke shops that have received violations and notify landlords of their legal obligations.
