By: Mario Mancini

Six people were arrested in Queens this week after authorities uncovered what they described as a major illegal cannabis distribution ring operating out of a local storage facility. The raid resulted in the seizure of more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana and related products – with an estimated street value exceeding $2.5 million – according to officials.

As reported by the New York Post, investigators say the suspects were transporting large quantities of marijuana from California to New York City using tractor-trailer trucks. Once in Queens, the illicit shipments were stored at a Secure Space self-storage facility in Maspeth. From there, the cannabis would allegedly be broken down, moved to additional locations, or distributed directly to customers.

The Queens District Attorney’s Office, the DEA’s New Jersey Field Division, and the NYPD’s Cannabis Task Force coordinated on the months-long investigation, which began in April. Authorities executed a series of search warrants in both Maspeth and Long Island City on Thursday, ultimately uncovering a massive inventory of cannabis products.

Among the items seized were nearly 2,000 pounds of THC flower, hundreds of one-pound bags of marijuana, pre-rolled joints, and close to 1,000 pounds of THC vape cartridges, according to the Post.

“This was not a small-scale street operation,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz told the Post. “These types of THC products that are sold illegally very often lead to harm in our communities. It is the reason that legal shops go through a rigorous approval process by the state.”

But while the bust underscores the state’s ongoing efforts to enforce cannabis licensing laws, some critics argue that stories like these can be misleading – and even fearmongering – when not placed in a broader context. Millions of Americans consume cannabis regularly with little to no harm, especially in states where regulated access has replaced underground markets. By contrast, alcohol continues to cause far more social harm – including deaths, violence, and health complications – yet remains widely accepted and celebrated.

The reality is more nuanced: unregulated cannabis markets can indeed pose risks – such as products with unknown potency or contaminants – but much of that danger exists precisely because of limited legal access, not in spite of it. Supporters of legalization say the solution is not criminal crackdowns but a smoother path for entrepreneurs to enter the legal market and outcompete illegal sellers.

Still, law enforcement is under pressure to curb the black market, particularly as licensed dispensaries struggle with high taxes and regulatory hurdles. “If illegal dealers are allowed to operate unchecked, the legal system doesn’t stand a chance,” one industry advocate told the Post.

The six individuals arrested include Eduardo Lopez, 29, and Courtney Ferguson, 40, both of Manhattan; Erzhena Mitupova, 34, and Anna Migal, 47, of Kew Gardens; Jose Carbajal Enamorado, 24, of Jackson Heights; and Emerson Ramos Garcia, 24, of Bayside. Authorities confirmed none of the accused had legal authorization to sell cannabis in New York.

All six were charged with first-degree criminal possession of cannabis and arraigned in Queens criminal court. They are due back in court between September and October. If convicted, they face potential prison sentences ranging from two and a third to seven years.