Staten Island, NY — A clandestine operation was unearthed beneath the streets of Staten Island this week as city authorities conducted a series of raids on illegal marijuana dispensaries, revealing a sophisticated network of illicit drug sales rampant across the borough. Among the establishments targeted was Richmond Discount & Accessories, where officials discovered a hidden staircase leading to an array of controlled substances cleverly concealed in a basement.
During the operation, Sheriff’s deputies and New York City police encountered a large and organized assortment of cannabis products neatly arranged, signaling a high-volume operation. This stash included individually wrapped marijuana buds, jars filled with THC concentrate, potent 1000 milligram pouches of Sour Beltz edibles, and branded Pack Man vape pens.
At the heart of the crackdown, vital interagency collaboration was evident as the joint task force, composed of the city sheriff’s office, NYPD, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, underscored the importance of dismantling such illegal ventures.
The raids yielded substantial penalties, with Richmond Discount & Accessories being slapped with $33,800 in fines and padlocked on the spot. According to the official reports, the operation was described not merely as a store, but “a machine” by Sgt. Craig McCosker of the city Sheriff’s Office.
In a separate incident at the Nitecap Megastore, a well-known front operating under the guise of a sprawling accessory complex, authorities uncovered numerous vials of pre-rolled joints and vibrantly packaged jars brimming with cannabis flower, alongside weed-infused cookies.
Mayor Eric Adams, present during the Nitecap raid, underscored his commitment to eradicating these operations, pointing out the necessity to “stay on top of these guys.”
Consequences for Nitecap were severe, with officials seizing $19,000 worth of cannabis products, alongside unlicensed tobacco items. The store was promptly padlocked and fined $25,000.
Adding a dramatic twist to the Nitecap raid, the store’s proprietor, Michael Rizzi, a 52-year-old retired NYPD officer, was arrested for criminal weapon possession following the discovery of an array of brass knuckles among the illicit inventory.
Since New York State legalized recreational marijuana in 2021, the number of illegal dispensaries has proliferated, with law enforcement estimating around 3,400 unlicensed establishments in operation despite only 57 having official sanctioning in New York City.
Earlier legislation passed in Albany has significantly strengthened the hands of local authorities, allowing them to shutter unlawful establishments for up to a year after just one inspection. This new power has led to the closure of 535 shops thus far, involving the seizure of $17.5 million in illegal cannabis products and accruiring over $43 million in civil penalties.
Sheriff Anthony Miranda noted the proactive steps being taken by city officials and landlords in response to the heightened enforcement measures, with many “locations closing down on their own.”
As authorities continue to investigate, tracing paperwork and licenses to potentially expose other offenders, the fight against the clandestine cannabis market in New York City is intensifying, both in scope and scale.
Local resident Ella Cucurullo, 72, encapsulated the community perspective, emphasizing the necessity of lawful conduct in pursuit of livelihoods, reacting to the week’s crackdown that effectively marked every illegal smoke shop on Staten Island as inspected.
While some stores like Nitecap promised a swift return to business, announcing plans on social media to reopen soon, the city’s firm stance suggests the battles on the front lines of the illegal cannabis trade are far from over.