NEW YORK – On Thursday July 23nd a second round of multi-agency inspection operation was conducted for locations thought to be selling synthetic marijuana (synthetic cannabinoids) centered around 125th St. and Lexington Ave.
The operation is the second of its kind conducted during July, with the first being conducted on July 2. Both inspections came after Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito led a multi-agency tour of the 125th Street area in the spring to lay out community concerns about the selling and distribution of synthetic marijuana. Five locations were inspected. All had previously been served with the DOHMH Commissioner’s order directing the discontinuance of the sale of synthetic marijuana after DOHMH documented a significant rise in emergency department visits due to its illegal sale.
Details of the Operation: Synthetic marijuana was recovered at two of the locations. A total of more than 2,000 bags of this substance were recovered and packaged for retail sale under a variety of names. Two arrests for PL 220.03 Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (7th degree) were made at one location, where 58 bags of Khat, eight bottles of Viagra, and one bottle of Cialis were recovered. Five teams executed the five inspections simultaneously. Each team consisted of a DCA Inspector, a DOHMH Inspector, three Deputy Sheriffs, one NYPD Sergeant, one NYPD Civil Enforcement Attorney, and three NYPD Police Officers. There were no incidents during the operation.
Commissioner Bratton said: “These dangerous products do not belong on store shelves within our neighborhoods and are a threat to public health,” said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton. “The NYPD will continue to partner with government agencies, elected officials and the community to ensure that those who continue to offer these items for sale are dealt with accordingly.”
Speaker Mark-Viverito said: “These drugs have no place in our communities and I thank Commissioner Bratton and men and women of the NYPD for their continued and swift response to the concerns of our community. Today’s announcement is another example of how working together we can keep our neighborhoods safe.”
(File photo: Clearwater Police)
