Two Boonville Smoke Shops Padlocked After Multi-Agency Raid

Authorities say untaxed cigarettes, more than 1,100 flavored nicotine vapes, kratom products and cannabis were found during searches at two Route 12 businesses.

BOONVILLE, N.Y. — Two Boonville smoke shops were immediately padlocked after a multi-agency investigation uncovered large quantities of untaxed cigarettes, flavored nicotine vapes, kratom items and assorted cannabis products, according to the Village of Boonville Police Department.

Search warrants were executed Aug. 6 at NC Smoke Shop, 13187 State Route 12, and Z1 Smoke Shop, 13410 State Route 12. The New York State Office of Cannabis Management padlocked both businesses following the searches.

Police said the investigation remains active. No arrests or criminal charges were announced in the police information reviewed by the Utica Phoenix as of Aug. 13.

The enforcement action brought together village, county and state agencies at a time when New York has stepped up efforts to close businesses accused of operating outside its regulated cannabis market.

What investigators say they found

According to the Boonville Police Department’s account of the searches, investigators reported finding different quantities of products at each business.

At NC Smoke Shop, authorities reported approximately:

• 30 cartons of untaxed cigarettes
• 1,000 flavored nicotine vapes
• 77 assorted kratom items
• Assorted cannabis products

At Z1 Smoke Shop, police reported approximately:

• 130 cartons of untaxed cigarettes
• 137 flavored nicotine vapes
• 23 assorted kratom items
• Assorted cannabis products

That brings the combined seizure reported by police to approximately 160 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, 1,137 flavored nicotine vapes and 100 kratom products, in addition to the assorted cannabis items.

Police did not publicly provide an estimated dollar value for the products in the reports reviewed.

Multiple agencies joined the investigation

The operation involved the Village of Boonville Police Department along with:

• Oneida County District Attorney’s Office
• Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
• Oneida County Health Department
• New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
• New York State Office of Cannabis Management

Police described the case as a joint investigation into alleged illegal operations at the two businesses.

The participation of several agencies reflects the different regulations that can apply to cannabis, tobacco and vaping products.

Why were the stores padlocked?

New York legalized adult possession and use of cannabis in 2021, but legalization did not authorize any store to begin selling marijuana without state approval.

The state Office of Cannabis Management says selling cannabis without an OCM license remains illegal. Cannabis sold through New York’s legal market must also meet state requirements governing production, testing, packaging and distribution.

OCM’s enforcement division has authority to investigate suspected illegal cannabis activity, seize prohibited products and shut down businesses that violate state cannabis laws.

That distinction is important: legal cannabis does not mean unrestricted cannabis sales.

Adults 21 and older may legally possess up to three ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis under New York law, but businesses selling cannabis generally must hold the appropriate state license.

Untaxed cigarettes carry separate concerns

The cigarette allegations fall under a different part of New York law.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance says the state imposes an excise tax of $5.35 on every pack of 20 cigarettes. Tax stamps affixed to cigarette packages provide evidence that the required state tax has been paid.

With police reporting approximately 160 cartons seized in Boonville, the cigarette portion alone represents a substantial quantity of merchandise.

Authorities have not yet publicly explained where the cigarettes originated or how long they may have been available for sale.

Those questions may become clearer as the investigation continues.

Flavored nicotine vapes are also restricted in New York

The reported discovery of 1,137 flavored nicotine vapes is another significant part of the case.

New York has prohibited the retail sale of flavored nicotine vapor products since 2020, subject to limited federal authorization exceptions. The state Department of Health says Public Health Law prohibits retailers from selling flavored nicotine-containing vapor products.

State health officials have said the restrictions are intended in part to reduce youth exposure to vaping products.

Police did not say whether investigators believe any of the products seized in Boonville had been sold to minors.

Part of a broader New York enforcement push

The Boonville raids come amid a larger statewide campaign against unlicensed cannabis operations.

New York’s Office of Cannabis Management says its enforcement teams work with local police and other government agencies to close unlicensed storefronts, seize illicit products and protect licensed operators from competitors that do not follow the same regulations.

OCM reports that statewide enforcement efforts have included thousands of inspections and hundreds of sealing orders.

Recent operations elsewhere in the state have followed a similar model, with OCM working alongside local law enforcement to execute searches and remove allegedly illicit cannabis products.

Still, enforcement raises an important distinction for consumers and business owners alike. New York has a legal adult-use cannabis market, and licensed dispensaries operate legally. Enforcement actions are aimed at sellers authorities allege are operating outside that regulatory system.

Investigation remains ongoing

Boonville police said the investigation into NC Smoke Shop and Z1 Smoke Shop is continuing.

As of the latest information reviewed, authorities had not announced arrests or identified anyone as having been criminally charged in connection with the Aug. 6 searches.

That means allegations surrounding the businesses should not be treated as findings of criminal guilt. Any person later charged would be presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

For Boonville residents, however, the immediate impact is clear: two Route 12 businesses have been closed and padlocked while authorities continue their investigation.

The Utica Phoenix will update this report if Boonville police, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office or state regulators announce charges or release additional information.

Sources

Reporting was verified using the Village of Boonville Police Department release reproduced by Newzjunky, additional local reporting from Flack Broadcasting, and official information from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, Department of Taxation and Finance and Department of Health.