Three Arrested for Operating Illegal Mobile Cannabis Dispensary Near Elmhurst Playground and School
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that three individuals were taken into custody for running an illegal mobile cannabis dispensary in Elmhurst. The unlicensed operation was located on Woodhaven Boulevard, directly underneath the Long Island Expressway, near Hoffman Park and the Jewish Institute of Queens—a school in the area. The arrests came after community complaints prompted an investigation.
The mobile dispensary had reportedly been operating in the Rego Park and Elmhurst neighborhoods in recent weeks. In response, detectives from the DA’s office conducted several undercover purchases from the van to confirm illegal activity. Following the investigation, the NYPD and the New York City Sheriff’s Office executed a court-authorized search warrant on Wednesday, April 16.
"This illegal cannabis truck was parked just across the street from a school and a few hundred feet from a playground,” said DA Katz. “We are taking these matters seriously, especially when children are nearby.”
Authorities recovered a significant quantity of cannabis products during the search, including four pounds of leaf cannabis, over one pound of concentrated cannabis, and a variety of edibles packaged to resemble candy. Officials expressed concern that the candy-like packaging appeared designed to appeal to children.
The three individuals operating the mobile dispensary were taken into custody and issued desk appearance tickets. They are expected to be arraigned at a later date.
District Attorney Katz emphasized the broader crackdown on unlicensed cannabis sales throughout Queens County. “Since November 2022, my office, working with our partner agencies, has seized more than $25 million worth of products from over 400 suspected illegal cannabis dispensaries here in Queens County,” she said.
Katz reaffirmed her commitment to public safety and ensuring that cannabis products are sold through licensed and regulated channels. “We will not relent in our aggressive enforcement actions against unlicensed dealers who sell unregulated products that are targeted to children,” she stated.
This incident is part of an ongoing effort by city officials to regulate the legal cannabis market and eliminate illegal sales that jeopardize public health and safety—particularly those occurring near schools and playgrounds.
