In a decisive enforcement action aimed at combating the proliferation of unregulated cannabis outlets, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and her office have shut down six illegal cannabis retail locations across the borough. The operation, aptly named “Operation Weed Whacker,” resulted in four arrests and the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit cannabis and tobacco products.
Multi-Pronged Sting Effort
Conducted from July 16 through August 14, Operation Weed Whacker involved covert purchases followed by coordinated enforcement action by the DA’s office, NYPD, and the New York City Sheriff’s Office. Six storefronts across Queens—namely in Hollis, Flushing, Cambria Heights, and Sunnyside—were padlocked for operating without proper licensing.
The targeted establishments included:
- Hollis Convenience (190-12 99th Avenue, Hollis)
- Moonrocks (46-06 Utopia Parkway, Flushing)
- No Limit (231-01B Linden Boulevard, Cambria Heights)
- ZaZa Exotic (Linden Green Farms Inc.) (231-07 Linden Boulevard, Cambria Heights)
- Sunnyside Clouds (45-03 40th Street, Sunnyside)
- Fumes Puff (41-25 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside)
Substance Seizures and Legal Consequences
Authorities confiscated a staggering volume of illegal products:
- 130 lb of cannabis flower
- 110 lb of cannabis vapes
- 74 lb of edible cannabis products
- 173 lb of flavored tobacco vapes
Three individuals—Mahmud Hossain, 24, of Queens Village; Michael Deblasio, 32, of Woodhaven; and Hemyar Naji, 34, of Brooklyn—were arraigned on criminal cannabis possession charges. They now face prison sentences ranging from 1⅓ to seven years, depending on the degree of charges. A fourth suspect received a desk appearance ticket on August 14.
A Continued Crackdown
This operation represents the latest phase in a sustained campaign to eliminate illegal cannabis retailers in Queens. Since July 2024, a total of 310 dispensaries have been padlocked, while 445 individuals have been prosecuted for cannabis-related felony offenses since November 2022, under DA Katz’s oversight.
DA Katz emphasized that these illicit businesses threaten both public safety and the viability of properly licensed operators: “Illegal cannabis stores pose a threat to community safety … and to the individuals who purchase their products.” She reiterated her office’s commitment to fairness for legitimate businesses and protection of residents—particularly youth—from unregulated products.
Summary Table
| Operation | Operation Weed Whacker |
|---|---|
| Locations Padlocked | 6 illegal cannabis storefronts |
| Timeline | July 16 – August 14, 2025 |
| Area Coverage | Hollis, Flushing, Cambria Heights, Sunnyside |
| Seized Products | Flower, vapes, edibles, flavored tobacco (totaling nearly 487 lb) |
| Arrests | 4 individuals (3 arraigned; 1 issued desk appearance ticket) |
| Legal Outcomes | Potential sentences: 1⅓ to 7 years |
| Cumulative Actions | 310 closures since July 2024; 445 prosecutions since November 2022 |
This enforcement sweep not only underscores Queens DA Katz’s intensifying campaign against unlicensed cannabis operations but also serves as a broader deterrent, reaffirming the importance of operating within the boundaries of state licensing and public health requirements.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
