Cocaine and a weapon were seized and five people were arrested following a second round of targeted raids by law enforcement of businesses in Assembly District 80 on Monday, Sept. 18. Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. (A.D. 80) who, as reported, was sworn into office for the first time in March, said the New York County Sheriff’s office conducted the raids on businesses located along White Plains Road in Pelham Parkway, suspected of illegally selling tobacco and cannabis products.

 

The assemblyman said the second round of raids to take place in A.D. 80 in recent weeks targeted the Pelham Bay Convenience Corporation at 2180 White Plains Road and Hookah Zone Convenience Inc. at 634 Morris Park Avenue. Assembly District 80 covers some or all of the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Morris Park, Van Nest, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Gardens, and Allerton, Indian Village, and Little Yemen.

Zaccaro Jr. said of the operation, “Over the past few months, my office has been contacted by concerned constituents offering invaluable tips about how these businesses have been circumventing the law.” He added, “The information gathered was quickly turned over to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the New York County Sheriff’s office for further investigation.”

 

He said the round of inspections resulted in five arrests, criminal possession of a weapon, four notice of violations with 21 violations and 135 counts of violations, an estimated $153,600 in penalties, and criminal possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).

 

Seized products from the most current round of inspections included flavored vape products, packages of THC flower weighing 31.46 pounds, THC pre-rolls weighing a total of 8.45 pounds, THC edibles weighing a total of 46.07 pounds, mushroom products including chocolate bars and liquid containers with other hallucinogenic ingredients, and packages of other tobacco products. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a cannabinoid that makes an individual euphoric and intoxicated (or high), according to substance abuse experts.

 

 

According to Zaccaro Jr., the first raid was carried out on Sept. 14 across Allerton. At least three locations were found to have been in violation of the law: 649 Allerton Avenue (200 Healthy Deli Corp), 686-688 Allerton Ave (BX Convenience & Smoke Store Corp), and 800 Allerton Avenue (Allerton Ave Smoke Shop Inc).

 

The assemblyman thanked the New York County Sheriff’s Office for what he described as their “dedication” and “incredible work,” along with the constituents who had reached out to him. Zaccaro Jr. concluded, “These raids are a testament to the positive outcomes produced when elected representatives, residents, and community organizations work hand in hand. Together, we’ll continue to demonstrate our iron sense of purpose: making our community a safe place for all.”