Barricaded Brooklyn Heights weed shop remains open despite numerous robberies and raids

Poster child for Gov. Hochul’s new cannabis initiatives?

April 19, 2024 Mary Frost

Bulletproof plexiglass partitions during construction inside the Exotic Smoke Shop in Brooklyn Heights. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

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BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Workers at an illicit weed outlet in Brooklyn Heights are now barricaded behind walls of bulletproof plexiglass, following the shop’s most recent robbery by a mob of violent youth.

This was the fourth known robbery of the illegal cannabis outlet, the Exotic Smoke Shop at 64 Henry St. After the latest robbery on April 4, the owner installed the plexiglass barriers, reminiscent of the bad old 1980s in New York City, when a fiscal crisis and crack epidemic drove crime rates sky high.

“It’s unfortunate that the Henry Street business has had to resort to using glass partitions. It’s a retro 1970s liquor store look that nobody wants to see return,” said Fulton Ferry resident Bill Stein.

The shop, with its long history of violations and criminal involvement, appears to be a poster child for the type of illegal activity the new cannabis rules announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday are meant to address.

A worker installs the new bulletproof plexiglass partitions inside the Exotic Smoke shop after robbers smashed glass cases inside the shop. Photo courtesy of Bill Stein

Crowd of youth smashed the glass display cases

In the April 4 robbery, multiple individuals rushed inside the shop just after 5 p.m., police said. One of the robbers displayed a knife, pointed it at the 24-year-old shopkeeper and then hopped over the counter. The thieves stole roughly $400 and took $11,000 worth of merchandise. As of April 18, no one has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

Before leaving, the robbers took a heavy object and smashed the glass display cases holding cannabis-related products, a shaken employee of the shop told the Brooklyn Eagle. No one was injured in the attack, he said.

The employee said the perpetrators were part of a crowd of roughly 20 high school-age youth, with half of them remaining on the sidewalk outside the shop during the robbery. There were some girls in the crowd too, he said.

After that attack, the owner installed bulletproof plexiglass to completely seal off merchandise and workers from potential criminals.

Hochul announces new cannabis initiatives

After each robbery and raid, Exotic Smoke Shop has reopened, stocked with new product, making it emblematic of the lack of tools that have been available to New York City law enforcement. While hundreds of weed shops have popped up in every neighborhood in Brooklyn, only about six are actually licensed.

On Friday, Hochul unveiled new initiatives in the 2025 Enacted Budget designed to shut down at least some of the illicit operations. The plan provides law enforcement with new powers, she said in a statement.

Businesses will be padlocked immediately following an inspection if they are selling illicit cannabis and pose an “imminent threat to health and safety” for a number of reasons, she said: sales to minors; unlicensed processing of cannabis; violent conduct; presence of unlawful fire arms; proximity to schools, houses of worship, or public youth facilities; products leading to illness or hospitalization; or products, not tested, or labeled under New York law.

In addition, the state will be authorized to revoke liquor, tobacco and lottery licenses from businesses selling illegal weed.

The government is also cracking down on landlords who rent to illegal cannabis outlets. If NYC landlords fail to start eviction proceedings against tenants in violation of the cannabis law, they can be fined $50,000.

Enforcement will not be carried out by NYPD, however, but by the smaller Sheriff’s Office, which operates under the NYC Department of Finance. According to Hochul, the Sheriff’s Office will be able to deputize other personnel to assist in enforcement.

“Enough is enough,” Hochul said in a statement. “I promised to protect our communities and hard-working, legal cannabis licensees by expediting the closure of illicit storefronts. I’m proud to stand up and say we got it done.”

After the April 4 robbery at the Exotic Smoke Shop in Brooklyn Heights, workers cleaned up the mess. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

“New York City will finally be able to use the full force of the law to inspect, enforce, and shut down illegal dispensaries,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “These measures, combined with our already robust enforcement efforts, will help keep the playing field level and push back against the quality-of-life issues that have resulted from the proliferation of illegal smoke shops.”

Exotic, with its long history of misconduct. seems to be the type of business the new regulations were designed to address. It was slapped with eight violations in February 2023, but stayed in operation. The store was also raided in September and again October 2023.

After the September raid, a large sign was posted on the front door from the Office of Cannabis Management, saying, “Pursuant to the New York State cannabis law and regulations, illicit cannabis has been seized and this location must immediately cease the sale of unapproved and unauthorized cannabis products.” The sign disappeared a few days later, however, and the shop continued its lucrative business.

Cops came back and filled up boxes and bags with cannabis products early on Oct. 23, neighbors told the Brooklyn Eagle at that time. The shop restocked and reopened.

Exotic was also forced to remove a garish sign which broke Landmarks regulations in January 2023, soon after it arrived in the neighborhood.