Police recently busted a smoke shop in Red Bank in Monmouth County selling weed, while a truck was busted in Warren County with millions of dollars worth of underground legacy weed products.
Red Bank Smoke Shop Bust
Dynasty Smoke Shop owner Tony Zhou and employee Tabitha Jones were busted in a raid. Twenty-five pounds of underground legacy weed was found, according to Red Bank Green.
Bank Police Chief Mike Frazee described a “several-month-long investigation” of the smoke shop, its personnel, and their underground legacy weed operations in a press release.
Criminal Charges
Owner Tony Zhou and employee Tabith Jones were arrested. Zhou was charged with:
- “Possession and distribution of CDS (Controlled Dangerous Substance) marijuana in the quantity of 25 pounds or more, a crime of the First Degree.
- Possession and distribution of CDS marijuana in the quantity of 25 pounds or more within 1,000 feet of school property.
- Conspiracy to commit distribution of CDS marijuana of more than one ounce, but less than five pounds.
- Conspiracy to commit distribution of CDS marijuana of more than one ounce, but less than five pounds, within 1000 feet of school property
- Possession of CDS marijuana of more than six ounces.
- Possession with intent to distribute toxic chemicals by selling nitrous oxide containers intended for intoxication.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia.”
Jones was charged with:
- “Possession and distribution of CDS marijuana in the quantity of 25 pounds or more.
- Possession and distribution of CDS marijuana in the quantity of 25 pounds or more within 1,000 feet of school property.
- Distribution of CDS marijuana of more than one ounce, but less than five pounds.
- Distribution of CDS marijuana of more than one ounce, but less than five pounds within 1000 feet of school property.
- Possession of CDS marijuana of more than six ounces.
- Possession with intent to distribute toxic chemicals by selling nitrous oxide containers intended for intoxication.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Providing / Selling certain items to persons under 21 years of age.”
“We will not tolerate the distribution of dangerous substances in our town and particularly near our schools,” Frazee declared.
He noted that the investigation was only conducted by local police. Frazee explained that an investigation by the NJ Division of Taxation could lead to more charges.
Last year, Red Bank Green reported that they were caught selling weed to minors.
Red Bank Smoke Shops and Cannabis Dispensary Issues
Many smoke shops have been selling legal intoxicating hemp in towns with and without dispensaries across Jersey.
Some have more paperwork than others.
There are now three open cannabis dispensaries in Red Bank:
- Canopy Crossroad
- Frosted Nug
- Monteverde
The Red Bank cannabis process was highly competitive. Scarlett Reserve, which had a smoke shop in Red Bank, wanted to open as a dispensary. However, distance issues were very difficult to overcome, unfortunately.
Many New Jersey dispensary owners have lamented told Heady NJ about the great time, money, and sacrifice that went into opening their state-legal cannabis operations. Often, they are not happy that smoke shops seem to have few of the problems they have with red tape and extra costs.
Big Underground Legacy NJ Weed Bust in Warren County
Police busted a truck with $58 million worth of weed driven by two guys from Texas in Warren County in Northwest Jersey on I-78.
According to 101.5.com, “troopers found approximately 7,645 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, 44,456 THC vape cartridges, 9,572 packages of THC gummies, 59 liters of cannabis resin, and 83 THC-infused cigarette packages.”
They were charged with “possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and conspiracy. They are being held at the Warren County Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.”
The individuals are named Vethanayagam Venches, 45, and Mohamed Nawshad, 48.
It seems the cops found something when they were not deliberately looking for it. They were caught during a routine inspection during which they could smell the weed.
Police seemed to notice “indicators of trafficking activity.” They did not release further details about their operations.
NJ Weed Crackdown?
There has been talk of the need for a State crackdown on underground legacy NJ weed operators by NJ Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22-Union).
However, NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin has not made any recent announcements of weed busts versus those selling fentanyl, coke, and meth, for example. The NJ Department of Law and Public Safety website does indicate it is prioritizing combating violent crime and an opioid crackdown.
Underground legacy NJ weed busts that have occurred so far seem to be spearheaded by local law enforcement, who are going after the biggest offenders.
No one is getting busted for growing a small number of plants.
(Stock photo used above.)
