NYC Rolls Out “Operation Padlock to Protect” to Close Unlicensed Smoke Shops

Mayor Eric Adams has initiated a stringent campaign to eliminate illegal smoke shops throughout New York City’s five boroughs.

Announced on Tuesday, “Operation Padlock to Protect” is set to intensify its efforts over the next few weeks to close these unauthorized smoke shop locations.

The initiative follows Adams’ push for local governments to receive state-level authorization to dismantle illegal smoke shops. With formal guidelines now in place, the New York City sheriff’s office and other local law enforcement agencies have the authority to lock down these illicit venues.

Mayor Adams expressed, “Our administration is delivering on a promise to shut down unlicensed smoke and cannabis shops, protect our young people, and ensure that the future of legal cannabis burns bright in New York City.” 

He further noted, “Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and our partners in the state Legislature, New York City is now using the full force of the law across every borough to padlock and protect our streets. Legal cannabis remains the right choice for our city, but to those who choose to break the law – we will shut you down.”

On the enforcement front, New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda executed 20 search warrants on Tuesday alone. 

Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin, Chief Advisor to the Mayor, in a press statement announcing the campaign said, “The proliferation of unlicensed smoke and cannabis shops in New York City is one of the biggest quality of life issues facing New Yorkers. These shops are especially dangerous to children and have been a major impediment to the financial stability of legal cannabis dispensaries. Thanks to our partnership with the governor’s office and the New York State Legislature, those unlicensed shops’ days are numbered. We now have the ability to implement procedures needed to permanently close illegal weed shops. Soon, New Yorkers will be rid of these bad actors.”

During these operations, including a raid at New City Smoke Shop, authorities confirmed the sale of entirely illegal products such as mushrooms, cannabis, pre-rolled joints, illegal cigarettes, and more.

One establishment on Church Street in Tribeca was shuttered by the city, with law enforcement indicating that more closures with padlocks are on the horizon for illegal marijuana shops.

According to City Hall, Tuesday’s events were a direct outcome of new authority granted to the city by lawmakers in Albany last month, empowering them to close down the shops.

Adams had previously pledged to close down all of the city’s 2,900 illegal cannabis shops within 30 days of being granted the authority by the state.

Mayor Adams also highlighted the new legal powers granted in the state budget that facilitated these shutdowns, while advocating for even stronger measures. “We gained the power under this budget, let’s be clear, the power is not ideal,” he remarked. 

Adams suggests a more robust approach in which police can independently analyze and target shops within their precincts. Despite the current system, where police need to coordinate with the sheriff’s office and follow a procedural chain for shutdowns and potential reopenings, the city is making strides.