Detectives from the Queens DA’s office and the NYPD raided an illegal cannabis dispensary operating across the street from a Sunnyside playground. Photos courtesy of Queens DA

November 5, 2024 By Bill Parry

An unlicensed cannabis store in Sunnyside that angered locals over its location on Greenpoint Boulevard across from L/CPL Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Playground has been shut down, Queens District Attorney Melida Katz announced Monday.

A Woodhaven woman who worked at the store was arrested and charged with criminal sale of cannabis and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Estafania Palaquibay, 22, of 91 Dr., was arraigned Saturday, Nov. 2, before Queens Criminal Court Judge Germaine Aususte, who ordered Palaquibay to return to court on Jan. 7, 2025.

According to the charges, on Nov. 1, detectives from the Queens District Attorney’s Office and NYPD officers executed a search warrant at Green Point Convenience Corp. at 42-18 Greenpoint Ave. Detectives recovered a large amount of cannabis flower in a glass container and cannabis-infused edibles. Palaquibay was also found to contain psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms”, in the bag.

“This store, which was located across the street from a playground, became the subject of numerous complaints from the community,” Katz said. “We will continue our enforcement actions against unlicensed marijuana dealers who sell unregulated products that are often targeted at children.”

The operation is part of the prosecutor’s office’s ongoing efforts to rid Queens of illegal cannabis dispensaries, whether they operate out of trucks and vans or brick-and-mortar locations.

Photos courtesy of Queens DA

Since November 2022, enforcement operations have resulted in the prosecution of 313 individuals on felony charges related to the sale and/or possession of cannabis or controlled substances in Queens. To date, more than 5,000 pounds of cannabis edibles, including gum and candy bars, more than 7,750 pounds of cannabis flower, hundreds of packets of edible psilocybin, and more than 15,500 cannabis vape “pens,” with an estimated combined value of over $23. million, were seized from more than 400 suspected illegal cannabis dispensaries in Queens.

“These dispensaries also fail to pay public service tax revenue and undermine licensed vendors who prioritize safety and compliance,” Katz said.

There are currently 226 licensed adult dispensaries open in New York State, including 21 in Queens. There are 39 state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries, including three in Queens.

District Attorney Katz also initiated eviction proceedings under the Real Estate Actions and Proceeds Act against the illegal smoke shops. A total of 208 of those stores in Queens have been locked down since July with the assistance of the New York Sheriff’s Office and the NYPD.

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