UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) -- Local authorities had to shut down the same illegal smoke shop for a second time in 24 hours when the store ignored orders to close, and someone cut city padlocks off the gates.
It is the latest example of the city feeling powerless to do anything about the illegal cannabis industry that has popped up like mushrooms during the last couple of years.
PIX11 News was there Thursday as NYPD officers showed up and again shut down the Zaza Waza Smoke Shop, which was padlocked by the city Wednesday.
One employee working inside was not arrested but was told to shut the store.
After closing both gates, she locked them and locked them up. City officials struggled to replace the store's locks with their own. When the bolt cutter failed, the NYPD brought in a saw.
Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who called the cops Thursday morning upon seeing the shop re-open has been fighting for nearly two years to get this illegal shop shut down.
She says the shop was supposed to stay closed until paying $225,000 in fines for illegally selling tobacco but has been busted for illegal marijuana in the past.
The councilwoman said at this point until state law changes the city officials actually have to use mainly tobacco regulation to seize illegal goods including cannabis and can only temporarily shut shops down.
"We need a different kind of law here in the city of New York," Brewer said.
She is also pushing for more city enforcement officers.
The political willpower appears to be building for a change to state law that would make it easier to crack down on illegal smoke shops.
Both the Mayor and the Governor support a change.
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