Friday, November 7, 2025

Another unlicensed smoke shop shuttered after multiagency raid on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

An unlicensed smoke shop at 166 Avenue B, between 10th Street and 11th Street, didn't last long before landing on law enforcement's radar. 

This afternoon, a joint operation between the NYC Sheriff's Department and the NYPD — part of the Sheriff's Joint Compliance Task Force — raided the recently opened storefront, seizing edibles, prerolls, flower, carts, flavored vapes, cigarettes and "other tobacco products." Cash was also recovered.
The space had sat empty since June 2024, when the previous tenant — also a smoke shop — was shuttered by law enforcement. 

What stood out at this raid: the volume. Officers hauled out at least 13 large trash bags of labeled items, far more than what we usually see at these busts.
The shop also drew the ire of neighbors for its very bright signage. Two business owners on the block told EVG they had complained about the storefront. 

Meanwhile, the shop is now closed...
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2 comments:

  1. brianNovember 8, 2025 at 1:22 AM

    On halloween they put up cobweb decorations and blasted Imagine Dragons out to the street, as if this would attract business. Real great business strategy

    ReplyDelete
  2. MTA614November 8, 2025 at 6:59 AM

    This all seems like such a massive waste of time and money on both ends of the equation.

    ReplyDelete

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