BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- Five unlicensed cannabis shops were raided in a coordinated operation executed by multiple law enforcement agencies on Aug. 8.

According to District Attorney Gary Pasqua, concerns from community members continued to be reported following a multi-agency raid June 29, 2023, with many members reporting illegal sales of marijuana, vapes and hallucinogenic substances to minors.

All five shops have since been shuttered by the state Office of Cannabis Management.

In total, five locations were raided, including the following:

Canton Convenience Stop, 71 Main Street, Canton

Twenty-three year old Hakim Saleh of Hamtramck, Michigan was arrested for possessing approximately 680.8 grams of cannabis, including flower, vape pens, cannabis wax, and edibles. Also seized was $6,408 in cash.

Smoker's Corner, 985 U.S. 11, Gouverneur

Fifty-three year old Paramjit Singh of Chadwicks, New York was arrested for possessing cannabis flower weighing approximately 2.3 pounds, concentrated cannabis weighing approximately 6.5 pounds, and twelve psilocybin bars. Also seized was $4,770 in cash.

Luxury Smoke, 101 East Main Street, Gouverneur

Twenty-five year old Amr Al Badani of Brooklyn, New York was arrested for possessing approximately 20 ounces of cannabis flower as well as approximately 20 ounces of concentrated cannabis. Also seized was $909 in cash.

West Coast Exocita, 428 State Street, Ogdensburg

Seized at that location were concentrated cannabis, including gummies, vapes, and wax weighing approximately 21 pounds, cannabis flower weighing approximately 3.5 pounds, 30 psilocybin bars, and $7,215 in cash.

Smokey Joe’s, 308 Isabella Street, Ogdensburg

Seized at that location were concentrated cannabis, including gummies, vapes, and wax totaling approximately 157.5 grams, cannabis flower weighing approximately 2.5 pounds, and $905 in cash.

Singh was arraigned and remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail without bail. All other defendants were either issued an appearance ticket or arraigned and released with future court dates. Investigations are ongoing and further arrests and charges are pending.

Assisting in this the operation were members of the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force, St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, Canton Police Department, Gouverneur Police Department, Ogdensburg Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Border Patrol, and the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office.