A multi-agency investigation took down a massive illegal cannabis operation in the South Bronx Thursday, confiscating an estimated one ton of illicit marijuana products worth about $5 million and arresting 11 people, according to officials.
But the Aug. 21 bust represented a frustrating reality for law enforcement— the underground weed shop known as “Budzotic” had already been busted in July of last year, but eventually ramped up operations again just steps from the primary location of last year’s bust.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry said during a press conference announcing the raid that the city’s successful crackdown on illegal cannabis shops had pushed operations from storefronts into residential setups like the one shut down in Mott Haven on Thursday.
“ Let me be very clear: anyone selling illegal [cannabis] products in New York City— you can run, but you can’t hide,” Deputy Mayor Daughtry said.
The investigation was a collaboration between the NYC Sheriff’s Department, NYPD, Bronx Narcotics and the Bronx District Attorney’s office. NYC Sheriff Anthony Miranda said that in addition to the cannabis products, the Sheriff’s department also seized $20,000 in cash, a .22 caliber revolver gun, some crystal meth and illegal tobacco products.
The security at the secret pot shop was tight. The Bronx Times saw security feeds with at least 14 different cameras, as well as razor wire and spikes atop the side entrance to the illegal bud bar.
Law enforcement officers told the Bronx Times that the setup for the illegal shop was sophisticated and out of the ordinary for an illicit seller. To gain access, potential buyers had to send photos of their valid identification as well as an email address. Only then would they be given their own barcode, which would be scanned at least twice by security guards before they were allowed access to the illegal cannabis club, according to officials.
Security, exclusivity and luxury were built into the sales model. The illegal shop had velvet, crowd control ropes stashed to the side of the entrance. The main area of the operation looked like a full service bar, complete with a back display of brightly colored products and vacuum sealed packages of weed. There were multiple flat screen TVs displaying the cannabis menu and pricing and even a tip jar on the counter. The back patio had custom murals and strings of lights like the patio of a nightclub.
Law enforcement officials credited community involvement for its success in taking down the illegal establishment saying that they got 311 calls complaining of illegally parked vehicles, constant foot traffic and the smell of marijuana.
The Bronx Times spoke with neighbors who said they weren’t aware that a group was operating an illegal cannabis shop just steps from their door. A neighbor named Jose, who lives nearby, said that he saw traffic in the area, but didn’t realize that it was illegal drug activity.
“ There’s a lot of people that live around here, this is a residential area with a lot of people,” he said. “It’s two or three o’clock in the morning and we see people coming through here going home or going to work— they going to party. We don’t know. We mind our business.”
Officials said they arrested 11 people who ranged in ages from their early 20s to their 60s and noted that one person had been previously convicted of murder. Sheriff Miranda said during a press conference that law enforcement would continue investigating the operation and try to link the two busts, as well as the individuals funding the illegal setups.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said that she was particularly alarmed at the amount of cannabis products that looked similar to common chocolates and candy products that are frequently marketed to children.
“ These are individuals that take advantage of access to apartments and houses and homes and they sell these unlicensed, untested and illegal products, and they do it under the guise of Jolly Ranchers,” Gibson said. “I like Jolly Ranchers! Children eat candy and it’s unacceptable.”
She said that law enforcement and elected officials will not stop targeting illegal shops.
“ When we allow this to happen, we are saying that it’s okay and it’s not okay,” Gibson said. “It’s never okay, and we will never accept it.”
