OGDENSBURG, N.Y. (WWNY) – Five unlicensed cannabis stores in St. Lawrence County were closed Thursday, District Attorney Gary Pasqua said.
In a press release, he said the companies were “searched as part of a coordinated operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.”
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management has closed the following businesses:
- Smoking area – 985 Route 11, Governor. Pasqua said 53-year-old Paramjit Singh of Chadwicks, New York, was arrested for possession of cannabis flower weighing about 2.3 pounds, concentrated cannabis weighing about 6.5 pounds and 12 psilocybin bars. $4,770 in cash was also seized.
- Luxury Smoke – 101 East Main Street, Governor. The prosecutor said 25-year-old Amr Al Badani of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested for possession of approximately 20 ounces of cannabis flower as well as approximately 20 ounces of concentrated cannabis. In addition, $909 in cash was seized.
- West Coast Exocita – 428 State Street, Ogdensburg. Officers said they seized concentrated cannabis, including gummies, vapes and wax weighing about 21 pounds, cannabis flower weighing about 3.5 pounds, 30 psilocybin bars and $7,215 in cash.
- Pizza Hut – 308 Isabella Street, Ogdensburg. Seized at this location were concentrated cannabis, including vape gummies and wax totaling approximately 157.5 grams, cannabis flower weighing approximately 2.5 pounds, and $905 in cash.
- Canton Convenience Shop – 71 Main Street, Canton (See our previous report here.)
Singh was arraigned and remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail without bail.
All other defendants were either given a summons or were arraigned and released with later court dates.
The investigation is ongoing and further arrests and charges are pending.
Pasqua said community members have reported marijuana, e-cigarettes and hallucinogenic substances being sold to minors.
Members of the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Canton Police Department, Gouverneur Police Department, Ogdensburg Police Department, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol and the State Attorney’s Office participated in the raids.
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