Rockland County, NY – In a significant development, three individuals and five corporations involved in a year-long investigation into Rockland County smoke shops have pleaded guilty. The guilty pleas were entered before the Honorable Kevin Russo on July 10, 2024, following search warrants executed at multiple locations across the county.
On March 4, 2024, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, various New York State agencies, and local police departments, executed search warrants at seven locations in Rockland County. These included two smoke shops in the Town of Clarkstown, two in the Town of Orangetown, one in the Village of Suffern, a business, and a private residence in Clarkstown. The search resulted in the seizure of over $415,000 and 405 pounds of cannabis from the five Zava stores and their respective bank accounts. None of the Zava stores were licensed to sell cannabis in New York.
The individuals and corporations that pleaded guilty are:
- Ibrahim Alfalahi, 36, of Nanuet, NY – Pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree (D Felony).
- Abdo Alquhshi, 44, of Nyack, NY – Pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fifth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor).
- Sadek Alfalahi, 29, of Nanuet, NY – Pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fifth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor).
- Zava Lafayette Convenience Corp., 28 Lafayette Ave., Suffern, NY – Pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Second Degree (C Felony).
- Zava Candy Inc., 214 Smith Rd., Nanuet, NY – Pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Second Degree (C Felony).
- Zava Flow Inc., 38-40 N. Middletown Rd., Nanuet, NY – Pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Second Degree (C Felony).
- Zava Central Convenience Corp., 46 E. Central Ave., Pearl River, NY – Pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Second Degree (C Felony).
- Zava Smoke, Inc., aka Zava Convenient Store Inc., Pearl River, NY – Pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Second Degree (C Felony).
District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II stated, “After receiving complaints from the public regarding illegal activity at smoke shops in Rockland County, my Office led an investigation with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state, and local level that resulted in the seizure of $415,000, 405 pounds of cannabis, and pleas of guilty by the individuals and corporations involved. 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. We will continue to work to make sure that all business in Rockland County is conducted lawfully.”
Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo of Homeland Security Investigations emphasized the importance of enforcement, saying, “The defendants’ guilty pleas mark a groundbreaking achievement for the region. HSI New York, in coordination with the greater law enforcement community, will not allow the legalization of recreational marijuana to result in the neglect of statutes and regulations designed to ensure the public’s safety. I commend HSI New York’s Hudson Valley special agents, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, and our numerous state and local partners for proactively addressing the prevalence of illegal smoke shops and their potentially dangerous consequences.”
New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller also commented, “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. I commend the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office for their diligent efforts on this case.”
The agencies involved in the investigation include the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Tax and Finance, New York State Office of Cannabis Management, New York State Police, Clarkstown Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, and the Suffern Police Department.
The defendants are scheduled for sentencing on October 17, 2024. Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Dugandzic and Assistant District Attorney Katherine Crispi are prosecuting the case.