EN smoke shop sealed, illegal cannabis seized following continuing complaints from community
An order from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), posted to the front door of Oasis Smoke Shop in East Northport, indicated that the business had been sealed and that “illicit cannabis” was seized from the location.
Members of the Suffolk County Police Department spent the better part of yesterday cracking down on illegal cannabis sales at a local smoke shop, as pressure continues to mount from Northport and East Northport community members requesting better policing of multiple sites in the area. An order from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), posted to the front door of Oasis Smoke Shop on the corner of Bellerose Avenue and Laurel Road in East Northport, indicated that the business had been sealed by the Cannabis Control Board and that “illicit cannabis” was seized from the location.
A search warrant was executed at the location on the afternoon of June 18, with police arresting two employees for allegedly selling cannabis products in the store, according to local reports. Officials could be seen inside the store past 8pm, going through cardboard boxes and continuing their search of the store’s merchandise.
A notice of violation was also posted on the smoke shop’s front door.
According to the notice, officers found “various cannabis products, including cannabis flowers and pre-rolls, THC edibles and concentrates” at the location. The notice identifies the alleged sale/offer of cannabis products not tested or labeled lawfully and says the variety and volume of cannabis products “suggest sale of cannabis products is the main activity” at Oasis.
The NYS OCM sealed the business and changed the locks. According to reports, the Town of Huntington also issued numerous building and fire violations and is currently conducting an investigation into the business.
According to the state’s Office of Cannabis Management website, the role of the OCM and its enforcement unit is to investigate complaints of unlicensed or illegal cannabis activity through regulatory inspections and investigations; shut down businesses that violate the state’s cannabis laws and regulations; prevent the sale of cannabis to minors; stop unsafe products from entering the cannabis market; seize prohibited, unlicensed, and illegal cannabis products; and coordinate enforcement actions with local law enforcement and other state agencies.
The two arrested employees were issued desk appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on July 8.
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