5 Jersey City smoke shops closed for illegal cannabis, vape sales

The basics:

• 5 Jersey City smoke shops shut down in illegal marijuana crackdown
• Authorities seize 16 pounds of suspected marijuana, THC products
• Police recover drugs, vape products, about $9K in cash
• 5 employees arrested, 26 summonses issued to shop owners

Five smoke shops in Jersey City were shut down for allegedly selling unregulated marijuana and other prohibited products, according to authorities.

Jersey City police led the crackdown with help from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The following businesses shuttered as a result:

• Paper & Grabba Tobacco
• Da Spot Smoke Shop
• Highline Premium
• All Stars Smoke Shop
• Duncan Smokes

Officials said they recovered nearly 16 pounds of suspected marijuana, as well as more than 600 plastic bags of suspected controlled substances and about $9,000 believed to be proceeds from narcotics sales.

Police also confiscated hundreds of illegal THC and vape products, including:

• 106 illegal THC flavored vape products
• Eight illegal flavored vape products
• 55 adulterated food items
• 23 pouches of candy-style THC
• 310 THC-infused gummy packages
• Five mushroom-infused bars
• 14 jars of 10,000mg THC gummies

According to police, health officials estimate that the recovered gummies alone represent approximately 400,000 individual 10mg THC doses.

Additionally, numerous controlled dangerous substance distribution-related paraphernalia items were also recovered during the searches, authorities said.

Employees arrested

Officials issued a total of 26 summonses to the five shop owners for violations such as unlicensed smoke shop operations, unauthorized cannabis establishment activity, maintaining a nuisance and illegal sales of flavored vape products.

Police also arrested five employees, according to a city spokesperson. They said those individuals were each charged with distribution and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Additionally, two of the stores – Paper & Grabba Tobacco and Highline Premium – did not have the required licenses to operate their businesses, the city said.

The three other stores had the proper permits, but authorities continue to review the matter and it may include potential for permanent closure, according to a Jersey City spokesperson.

Sending a message

The raids followed a weekslong investigation prompted by community complaints about unregulated marijuana sales and prohibited goods, including flavored vape products marketed to minors.

It’s also part of a broader, ongoing crackdown on unlicensed cannabis dealers and illegal smoke shops. In March 2025, a similar sweep resulted in the seizure of 13 pounds of marijuana and thousands of untaxed tobacco products.

Acting Jersey City Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose described the operation as “a precision, multi-agency enforcement effort built on intelligence, community complaints, and strong investigative work.”

“We are not only shutting down illegal operations, we are dismantling the networks behind them and holding bad actors accountable for their actions,” Ambrose added.

This joint operation sends a clear message that unregulated smoke shops selling illicit and potentially dangerous products will not be tolerated.
– Towanda Thorne-James, DEA New Jersey field division special agent in charge

DEA New Jersey field division Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James remarked, “This joint operation sends a clear message that unregulated smoke shops selling illicit and potentially dangerous products will not be tolerated.”

“These businesses often operate outside the law, putting unknown substances into our communities. We will continue to work with our partners to shut down these illegal operations,” Thorne-James went on.

Officials noted the investigation remains active and additional enforcement actions are possible. Investigators received assistance from the City of Jersey City, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and Hudson County Consumer Affairs.