Queens, NY – Approximately four tons of illegal cannabis and cannabis products were seized from a storage facility in Floral Park on Tuesday in a coordinated operation by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, NYPD, and NYC Sheriff’s Office. The raid, conducted at 6:00 p.m., also uncovered smaller quantities of crystal meth and Psilocybin products. Two individuals, Awad Aziz and Muneer Kassim, both of Brooklyn, were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance for their alleged involvement in storing and producing these illegal products.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the seizure of approximately four tons of illegal cannabis and cannabis product from a storage facility in Floral Park following the execution of a search warrant at the location on Tuesday, September 17, in partnership with the NYPD and the NYC Sheriff’s Office. A smaller quantity of crystal meth and Psilocybin products were also found and seized from the premises during the raid. Two defendants were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance for allegedly storing and producing the illegal product.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz highlighted the dangers posed by unregulated cannabis operations, noting the lack of oversight and regulation. Katz emphasized the commitment of her office to eliminating illegal recreational drug production and sales within the community. She acknowledged the NYPD and the NYC Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in the case.
According to the charges and investigation:
- Members of the NYPD, with assistance from the NYC Sheriff’s Office, launched an investigation into the warehouse at the beginning of August.
- The Queens District Attorney’s Office joined the investigation shortly thereafter and a search warrant was secured for the location at 88-08 Little Neck Parkway.
- On September 17, at approximately 6:00 p.m., law enforcement officials executed the warrant and found a large quantity of cannabis and cannabis products, as well as a smaller quantity of crystal meth and numerous products labeled as containing Psilocybin, known as magic mushrooms.
- In addition to the extensive storage area, officials observed a separate area where concentrated cannabis products were allegedly produced by pressing the vegetative cannabis to obtain the liquid extract, which would then be loaded into plastic cartridges.
- The total amount of illegal, unregulated product was loaded into two dump trucks, weighing approximately four tons, or 8,000 pounds.
- Both defendants were arrested near the premises at the time of the search.
Aziz, 31, and Kassim, 34, were arraigned on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second, fourth, and fifth degrees, along with two counts of criminal possession of cannabis in the first degree. Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels scheduled their next court appearance for November
