New York City takes bold action against illicit cannabis trade

In a decisive move against New York City’s illegal cannabis operations, Mayor Eric Adams oversaw the destruction of four tons of seized cannabis as part of the “Operation Padlock to Protect.”

This initiative has successfully shuttered over 1,000 unlicensed cannabis shops citywide.

Sheriff Anthony Miranda of the New York City Sheriff’s Office praised the collaborative efforts across various agencies, stating, “It was the mayor’s insight that said that all the law enforcement agencies were working collectively, and this has been a collective effort.”

Mayor Adams highlighted the significance of the operation, saying, “A thousand shops were closed, and you had to use the skill set of the accumulation of all of our agencies… Today, we’re going to destroy four tons of cannabis. This is out of the 200,000 pounds that we have that are still out there.”

The destruction was carried out in partnership with Reworld Waste, aiming to prevent illegal cannabis from ending up in landfills.

“Reworld is a real partner. They remove over 800,000 tons of garbage off our landfills by destroying it here,” Adams noted.

Adel Omrani, President of Reworld, emphasized their commitment to community safety, stating, “We generate also renewable energy that powers our communities and our residency.”

Addressing public concerns, Mayor Adams assured, “No one would be getting high off of what we’re burning today. Trust me.”

The operation also addresses the health risks posed by illicit cannabis products. “What they are smoking is the chemicals. And that is the statement. We want to make sure this is why it presents a serious health hazard,” warned Sheriff Miranda.

This concerted effort underscores New York City’s dedication to curbing illegal cannabis trade, protecting communities, and ensuring public safety.