A regulatory inspection conducted on a smoke shop suspected of distributing cannabis without proper licensing led to the seizure of approximately six kilograms (over 13 pounds) of crack cocaine on Friday, August 9, 2024. Allegedly, Mazen Tahhan was standing behind the counter when members of the New York City Sheriff’s Joint Compliance Task Force (referred to as the “Joint Task Force”) arrived at the shop situated at 20 Clinton Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Field Intelligence Officers from the 7th Precinct of the New York City Police Department apprehended TAHHAN after conducting a thorough search of the area.
Bridget G. Brennan, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor of New York City, along with New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban, announced the arrest today after an arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court over the weekend. The Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor has filed a criminal complaint charging TAHHAN with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees, as well as Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts in tackling the increase in illegal cannabis shops. She stressed the need to investigate whether these shops are hiding dangerous narcotic drugs to ensure the well-being and safety of our communities.
“The safe sale and distribution of legal cannabis in New York City necessitates a licensed, regulated, and standardized industry,” emphasized Police Commissioner Edward Caban. He further emphasized that unlicensed cannabis operators who allegedly violate the law pose a significant risk to public safety and health, as well as destabilize the legal industry. The NYPD and our task force partners are committed to utilizing all available resources to enforce existing regulations and, above all, safeguarding New Yorkers from illicit drugs of any kind.”
The Joint Task Force consists of members from the Sherriff’s Office, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Assisting with the investigation were the NYPD’s Narcotics Borough Manhattan South and Midtown North Precinct.
Upon entering the office space located at the rear of the store, law enforcement officers discovered a significant amount of suspected crack cocaine contained in large zip lock bags and white plastic containers. The office also contained several scales, numerous empty glassine envelopes and plastic capsules, as well as hundreds of empty paper films, all seemingly used for the packaging of illegal narcotics. Additionally, officers found and seized $1,876 in cash and the keys to the shop from TAHHAN’s possession.
The narcotics seized in the incident were identified as cocaine by an NYPD field test. On Saturday, August 10, 2024, TAHHAN appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court for arraignment, and the presiding judge set bail at $50,000 cash or $150,000 bond.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan expressed her gratitude to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. and commended the Trial Division of SNP, the Field Intelligence Officers from the NYPD’s 7th Precinct, the New York City Sheriff’s Joint Compliance Task Force, and the Narcotics Borough of the NYPD’s Manhattan South and Midtown North Precinct for their exceptional efforts in the investigation.
