NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Law enforcement shut down an illegal cannabis dispensary in Queens last week, discovering pounds of the drug in the van that was parked near a school and park in Rego Park, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday.
The van operated at Woodhaven Boulevard underneath the Long Island Expressway. In response to community complaints, district attorney investigators completed a series of undercover purchases at the van, which had been in the area for several weeks.
Members of the NYPD and New York City Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on the van on April 16, and recovered four pounds of leaf cannabis, one pound of concentrated cannabis and edibles. The edibles were packaged to look like candy, with similar branding to treats like LifeSavers Gummies, Jolly Ranchers and M&Ms.
Three people were taken into custody and charged with the sale and possession of cannabis, prosecutors said. The NYPD removed the van.
“This illegal cannabis truck was parked just across the street from a school and a few hundred feet from a playground,” Katz said. “We will not relent in our aggressive enforcement actions against unlicensed dealers who sell unregulated products that are targeted to children.”
Since November 2022, the Queens District Attorney’s Office has worked with city agencies to seize over $25 million in illegal cannabis products from more than 400 suspected illegal dispensaries in the county.
Anyone with concerns about an illegal cannabis dispensary is asked to call 718-286-6503 or send an email to CannabisTips@queensda.org.