City Council Investigates Sheriff’s Office Over Cash Seizures in Smoke Shop Raids

The New York City Council launched an inquiry on Thursday, October 10th, into the city’s sheriff, Anthony Miranda, regarding cash seizures made during raids on unlicensed cannabis shops. This investigation follows Miranda’s testimony in September, where he claimed that his deputies were not involved in confiscating cash from these businesses, a statement that multiple sources, including deputies and shop owners, have since contradicted.

Councilmembers Gale Brewer and Justin Brannan have called for clarification from Miranda, requesting detailed information on asset forfeiture practices, seizure procedures, and balances in forfeiture accounts. According to reports, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been taken from the shops during a citywide crackdown on illegal cannabis sales under “Operation Padlock to Protect.”

Miranda’s testimony came into question after the city’s Department of Investigation (DOI) seized a large sum of cash from the Sheriff’s Office headquarters, raising concerns about whether the cash had been properly reported. Investigators are now looking into whether the sheriff’s office mishandled or improperly seized funds during these raids.

Attorneys representing smoke shop owners have criticized the raids, questioning the whereabouts of the seized cash, particularly in cases where shop closures were dismissed in court. Nadia Kahnauth, a lawyer representing several shop owners, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, asking, “Where is the money?” She highlighted the difficulty of tracing the seized cash, even in cases where no violations were found.

This investigation has also highlighted staffing issues within the sheriff’s office, as well as broader concerns over asset forfeiture practices. Despite these controversies, Mayor Eric Adams has continued to defend Miranda, asserting that the sheriff is doing the job New Yorkers expect.

The council’s investigation “is part of a larger effort to scrutinize the enforcement of cannabis regulations in New York City. With the rapid rise in unlicensed cannabis shops following the state’s legalization of marijuana, officials have been grappling with how to regulate the industry and enforce laws while ensuring transparency and fairness in law enforcement operations.