Rockland smoke shops investigated

On Wednesday, March 6, , the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office; the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations; New York State agencies, and local police departments executed search warrants at seven locations in connection with Rockland County smoke shops following a year-long investigation.

Search warrants were executed at smoke shops in the following locations:

2 – Town of Clarkstown

2 – Town of Orangetown

1 – Village of Suffern

Additional search warrants were executed at a business and a private residence in the Town of Clarkstown.

District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “Today’s search warrants are a result of a year-long investigation led by my Office working with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state, and local level to ensure that all business in Rockland County is conducted lawfully.”

“What started as an investigation into allegations of local businesses selling cannabis products without proper licenses, including to minors, evolved into something larger. Our investigation found that these individuals fleeced the government of thousands in tax dollars – a scheme they then allegedly tried to disguise,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. “Today’s announcement is the result of the successful collaboration between HSI New York’s Hudson Valley office, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners. These alleged crimes have larger impacts on the region, and we are committed to securing justice on behalf of the Hudson Valley community.”

The following agencies were involved with the investigation: Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Tax and Finance, New York State Office of Cannabis Management, Clarkstown Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, and the Suffern Police Department. It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.