Mayor Adams cracks down on illegal vapes with operation padlock, seizes over 1,200 pounds for destruction

Mayor Eric Adams has announced the latest success of “Operation Padlock to Protect,” a multi-agency crackdown on illicit smoke shops.

In a statement delivered on October 16, Mayor Adams and Sheriff Anthony Miranda revealed that over 1,200 pounds of illegal vapes are set to be destroyed — the latest haul in a program that has already shuttered 1,200 illegal locations and seized over $80 million in illicit goods.

Mayor Adams emphasized the dangers these products pose to young people, noting, “These are dangerous products, and that’s why they have been made illegal. The goal is to get [young people] hooked on these products… Today we’re saying goodbye and good riddance to products that endanger our children and undermine our quality of life.”

**Aggressive Enforcement and Collaboration**

The effort, which began following new enforcement authority granted to the city in May 2024, has included more than 7,000 inspections and issued over $100 million in civil penalties. With multiple city agencies working in tandem, including the NYPD and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, the initiative aims to both curb the sale of unregulated vape and cannabis products and safeguard New Yorkers, especially children.

Sheriff Miranda, who has overseen the operation, praised the collaborative effort and Mayor Adams’ leadership. “This is the authority that the mayor has fought to give to us as of May of this year. Just in the few months, the success of the program has spoken loudly in our communities, and people have seen the difference,” Miranda said.

**A Growing Concern for Public Health**

The truckload of seized products will be shipped to Ohio for destruction in environmentally responsible facilities due to the hazardous materials involved, including batteries. Mayor Adams highlighted the significance of the operation, pointing to the health risks these unregulated products pose. “These dangerous, unregulated, and untaxed products…are on their way out of the city to be destroyed,” he added.

**Declining Crime and a Safer City**

In addition to the seizure of illegal vapes, Mayor Adams noted the broader public safety progress in the city, reporting that crime has declined for nine consecutive months. The Mayor’s Office is committed to keeping New York City the “safest big city in America,” and initiatives like Operation Padlock are a key part of that effort.

Sheriff Miranda and Interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon reiterated that this operation sends a strong message: New York City will not tolerate illegal activities that profit at the expense of public health. “We will not allow anyone to profit at the expense of our children,” said Donlon.

The operation is expected to continue targeting illicit smoke shops, making way for more legal, regulated businesses in the city’s growing cannabis industry.