In a coordinated operation in the Bronx, New York authorities arrested nearly a dozen individuals aged 22 to 65 following a raid on an unlicensed cannabis market operating under the name Budzotic smoke shop. CBS News reports that officials seized roughly $3.2 million worth of illegal cannabis products.
Officials expressed their concerns about the health risks posed by these unregulated businesses. “Unlicensed cannabis operations like this pose a significant health risk,” said New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry in a statement obtained by ABC7NY. The New York City Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the NYPD’s Bronx Narcotics unit, has been involved in Operation Padlock, a citywide initiative focused on closing over 1,500 illegal smoke shops.
Budzotic employed a complex password system to control access following a previous shutdown. However, authorities were able to seize large amounts of cannabis flower, THC vapes, concentrates, and edibles from the operation. Additionally, officials discovered what is believed to be crystal methamphetamine among the store’s inventory…