Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II says that a year-long investigation into suspected illegal sales of cannabis by smoke shops in Rockland has led to guilty pleas by three individuals and five corporations. The pleas were entered in court proceedings presided over by Judge Kevin Russo.
According to Walsh, his office, the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations; New York state agencies, and local police departments executed search warrants at seven locations in Rockland County. These were two smoke shops in the Town of Clarkstown, two in the Town of Orangetown, one in the Village of Suffern, and a business and a private residence in Clarkstown.
Law enforcement seized bank accounts in excess of $415,000 and 405 pounds of cannabis. The individuals entering guilty pleas in the cases were three residents of Nyack: Ibrahim Alfalahi; Abdo Alquhshi; and Sadek Alfalahi.
The corporations entering guilty pleas were: Zava Lafayette Convenience Corp., 28 Lafayette Ave., Suffern; Zava Candy Inc., 214 Smith Rd., Nanuet; ,Zava Flow Inc., 38-40 N. Middletown Rd., Nanuet; Zava Central Convenience Corp., 46 E. Central Ave., Pearl River; and Zava Smoke, Inc., aka Zava Convenient Store Inc., Pearl River.
“I commend Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Tax and Finance, New York State Office of Cannabis Management, and local police departments for their assistance in this case,” Walsh said. “We will continue to work to make sure that all business in Rockland County is conducted lawfully.“
New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said, “By operating illegal cannabis shops and flouting their tax obligations, these businesses deprived their communities of revenue needed for vital programs and services and put other businesses at a competitive disadvantage.”
The defendants are scheduled for sentencing on October 17.
