Officials have seized more than $12 million worth of cannabis products as a result of a drug bust at a warehouse in Astoria on Thursday morning, according to the New York City Sheriff’s Office.
The bust happened after police responded to a 911 call at 2:00 a.m. for a breaking and entering, officials reported.
Police say a high a volume of cannabis concentrates was found, including boxes filled with blunts, marijuana, vape pens, edible products, and bricks of marijuana that appeared to be wrapped in vacuum-sealed bags.
While it is legal to sell and buy cannabis in New York State, the operation in question was illegal as it was not licensed by a New York State Licensed Cannabis dispensary decal.
When the bust was initially reported early Thursday, officials said they obtained approximately $5 million in products, but it has since been updated to upwards of $12 million in cannabis products.
Officers have arrested two suspects, 38-year-old James Pennisi from Pennsylvania and 36-year-old John Betancourt, who had 125 pounds of marijuana, police reported. They realized the suspects were taking the product from the warehouse and alerted the sheriff’s office. Together, they moved in on the warehouse to conduct the bust, according to officials.
“This is definitely one of the largest seizures that we’ve had. It’s not the largest but it is one of the largest seizures,” said Lt. Francesca Rosa with the NYC Sheriff’s Office. “The value as of right now is over $12 million.”
The Sheriff’s Office reported that it had shut down another illegal cannabis shop on the Upper West Side on Thursday that they say used a trap door and a basement processing operation.
According to New York City authorities, more than 850 illegal marijuana shops have been padlocked since enforcement began back in April. They estimate there are still another 2,00 shops that are still operating illegally, and are currently investigating whether the products seized at the Queens warehouse were meant for some of those illegal shops.
