By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Police Department on Thursday raided and shuttered Howard Puff Convenience, a smoke shop in Old Howard Beach with a history of selling untaxed cigarettes and unlicensed cannabis products.
One man, employee Abdullah Almassxabi, 18, was taken into custody by Queens South Narcotics cops. Additionally, more than 400 packs of untaxed cigarettes and 30-plus pounds of illicit marijuana were removed from the store, which has since been marked by the NYPD for nuisance abatement.
Once again, City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) worked with authorities in targeting the 102nd Street outlet.
“I will not allow these illegal smoke shops to plague our streets,” Ariola said.
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola
Councilwoman Joann Ariola on Thursday following the law enforcement operation.
In September, following a cascade of constituent complaints, Ariola conducted an undercover sting at Howard Puff. She purchased a pack of unstamped Marlboro Light 100s for $10, recording the entire transaction. Ariola, who chairs the Council Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, sent the footage to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. In October, the NYPD, City Sheriff, and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection raided the shop. Officials hit Howard Puff operators with $58,200 in fines and seized illegitimate products, according to a New York Post report.
The shop has reopened since Thursday’s raid.
“We will not put up with this in District 32,” Ariola said. “If a store like this opens, it will be closed. And if they open again, it will be closed again. But this particular store will not open. Thank you so much for trusting me and knowing that I will always do what’s best for this district.”
