County Executive Steve Neuhaus Backs Local Law Enforcement

Supporting a countywide effort to thwart illegal cannabis sales

Over the course of several months, in collaboration with local and state agencies, County Executive Neuhaus addresses a crackdown on unlawful distribution and sale of unlicensed cannabis products and other illegal narcotics in retail establishments around the County.

“There is nothing more valuable than our children and keeping them out of harm’s way. These illegal items are packaged to entice children and resemble candy,” stated Neuhaus. “I, along with local and state agencies, want to increase awareness and will continue to take necessary actions to keep our communities safe.”

Initially, a multi-day operation was conducted identifying and targeting retail locations, spanning over a variety of towns and villages in the County, that were in fact selling these illegal products. The items ranged from cannabis and edibles, including gummies, chocolate bars containing psychoactive drugs, and flavored vapes — all of these pose a significant risk of landing in the hands of our youth and the public.

“Overall, this operation resulted in numerous store closures, the issuance of violations with substantial fines, the seizure of large quantities of illegal products, and multiple arrests,” said Detective Anthony Grosso, Drug Recognition Expert, Village of Chester Police Department. “Each item removed from circulation reduces the risk of youth access and has the potential to decrease incidents of impaired driving for persons of all ages because “if you feel different, you drive different.”

A total of nine retail establishments were inspected on Tuesday (7/30) and Wednesday (7/31), unannounced, including:

• Tobacco House – 69 Brookside Avenue, Chester

$50,000 worth of products seized by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) also found 3,000 boxes of flavored vapes. This is their second vape violation. They were served a violation with a fine of $150,250 by the OCDOH. The location was put on notice and tagged with a sticker in the window stating: Illegal cannabis seized here.

• Unnamed Location – 3 Snoop Street, Monroe
  This location was padlocked and seized by the OCM twice, with over 50 pounds of marijuana found. The location was put on notice and tagged with a sticker in the window stating: Illegal cannabis seized here.
• Top Shelf – 274 Main Street, Highland Falls
  Received their first vape violation, issued a notice of violation with a fine of $300 by the OCDOH. This location was seized and padlocked by the OCM. The location was put on notice and tagged with a sticker in the window stating: Illegal cannabis seized here.
• West Point Smoke – 441 Main Street, Highland Falls
  They were given a second violation for underage sale of tobacco products, with a fine of $1,750, a potential of two points on their license reported to New York State, and possible suspension of their tobacco and lottery license. This was their second vape violation; 43 boxes of flavored vapes were found, and they were served a violation with a fine of $2,400 from OCDOH. The location was put on notice and tagged with a sticker in the window stating: Illegal cannabis seized here.
• Beer World – 151 Greenwich Avenue, Goshen
  Was hit with a vape violation and issued notice of violation with a fine of $300 by the OCDOH. Approximately $70,000 worth of illegal products were seized by the OCM. The location was tagged with a sticker in the window stating: Illegal cannabis seized here.
• Mobil Gas Station – 400 Greenwich Avenue, Goshen
  Was hit with a vape violation and issued notice of violation with a fine of $300 by the OCDOH. The location was put on notice and tagged with a sticker in the window stating: Illegal cannabis seized here. All products were seized by the OCM.
• Kosmic Korner (aka Smoker’s Heaven Outlet), Goshen
  Was hit with a vape violation and issued notice of violation with a fine of $300 by the OCDOH. The location was tagged with a sticker in the window stating: Illegal cannabis seized here. All products were seized by the OCM.
• 94 Smokeshop & Snacks – 2130 Route 94, Salisbury Mills
  Was hit with a vape violation and issued notice of violation with a fine of $300 by the OCDOH. The location was padlocked and seized by the OCM. Chocolate candy bars, among other illegal items, were taken.
• Native Organics – 400 NY-17M, Monroe
  The location was put on notice and tagged with a sticker in the window stating: Illegal cannabis seized here. All products were seized by the OCM.

County Executive Neuhaus would like to thank the local police departments and agencies for their dedication and diligence toward taking necessary enforcement actions to keep our community safe.

• Orange County Stop DWI
• Orange County Department of Health
• The Village of Chester Police Department
• Town of Blooming Grove Police Department
• Village of Goshen Police Department
• Town of Goshen Police Department
• Town of Woodbury Police Department
• Village of Monroe Police Department
• Highland Falls Police Department
• The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)
• New York State Tax and Finance
• National Guard Counterdrug Program
• Alcohol Drug and Awareness Council (ADAC)
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
• New York State Police Department

Alcohol Drug and Awareness Council (ADAC), Executive Director, Orange County James Conklin said, “This is an important message on how risk is reduced when you take availability away. Adults being aware of these situations is so important. It is not just about youth making bad decisions, but instead about adults getting informed to help our youth make the right decisions, thus creating an environment that is safe for all our young people.”

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Regional Program Director Isai Fuentes said, “Ensuring that we have safer communities is critical. We applaud the efforts of all these agencies and departments working together to make our roads and communities safer for all ages. Providing continued education beginning at home, can help youth avoid using substances that can cause impairment.”

For more information and additional photos, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to the County Executive, Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.291.2700 or presscontact@orangecountygov.com.

To learn more about what County Executive Neuhaus is doing for Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook, @Orange County NY Govt and @steve.neuhaus on Instagram, and @OCGovNY and @SNeuhausOC on X.