July 27, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
The operators of a smoke shop in Middle Village have been busted for illegally selling cannabis and untaxed cigarettes.
Deputies from the New York City’s Sheriff’s Office raided “@dukaanboyz,” located at 63-118 Woodhaven Blvd., last week and seized a haul of 76 packages of cannabis and 33 cartons of untaxed cigarettes. Deputies also confiscated various unlicensed flavored vapes.
The Sheriff’s Office issued five criminal summonses and four civil violations, according to Councilmember Robert Holden.
Holden said he had urged the agency — and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks — to investigate the premises after his office received numerous complaints that the business was selling products to children, including unlicensed tobacco and cannabis products.
“I thank Deputy Mayor Banks, Sheriff Miranda, and [the] Sheriff’s Office team for extinguishing this joint’s reprehensible racket that put the health of our local children at risk by selling them cigarettes and marijuana,” Holden said.
Banks said his office takes community concerns very seriously, particularly when it comes to the health and safety of children.
“I thank Councilmember Holden for his partnership in protecting our youth and taking action against retailers who violate the law.”
Sheriff Anthony Miranda echoed those sentiments and said that similar investigations are carried out across the city on a routine basis.
“We investigate and respond to community complaints,” Miranda said. “We want to thank the community and Councilman Holden for bringing this to our attention.”