NYC Sheriff Denies Claims of Probe Into Handling of Cannabis Shop Seizures

TL/DR –

New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda is fending off allegations that his office was searched by the Department of Investigation (DOI) concerning the handling of cash seizures from illegal cannabis shops. Miranda has denied these claims and instead asserted that he invited the DOI to the Sheriff’s office after discovering cash from recent cannabis shop raids in a safe. Miranda stressed that all seized money from Operation Padlock to Protect, an initiative to shut down illegal cannabis stores, is carefully documented and accounted for, and any undocumented funds found date back to 2018, before his appointment in 2022.

New York Sheriff Denies Allegations of Illegal Activity

Sheriff Anthony Miranda of New York City vigorously denied allegations that his office was inspected by the Department of Investigation (DOI) concerning the management of cash seizures from unlawful cannabis shops.

News stories claimed the DOI searched the sheriff’s office headquarters in Queens following Miranda’s discovery of money from recent illegal cannabis shop raids within a building’s safe. Miranda refuted these allegations in an interview on “Mornings On 1,” stating that he himself invited the DOI to the location.

What You Need To Know

• The DOI allegedly searched the sheriff’s office following the discovery of money from illegal cannabis shop raids.
• Sheriff Miranda denied these allegations, stating he invited DOI to the location.
• Money seized during Operation Padlock to Protect, a campaign to close illegal cannabis stores, is meticulously documented, according to Miranda.
• The undocumented funds reportedly date back to 2018.

Miranda highlighted that the handling of seized money during Operation Padlock to Protect is thoroughly documented. “The process of vouchering money at these locations is well documented,” he stressed. He added that the unidentified funds traced back to 2018, before his appointment by Mayor Eric Adams in 2022. He stressed that the cash discovery has no connection with cannabis enforcement.

Reports also suggested that the DOI is probing Miranda for allegedly soliciting contributions to the National Latino Officers Association, of which he is the chair, by promising to overlook certain enforcement issues—an allegation he denied. “I haven’t solicited any money for the National Latino Officers Association for any cannabis operation. That is a false narrative,” Miranda stated.

Despite recent turbulence in the Adams administration, including several resignations of top officials, Miranda reaffirmed his commitment to Adams’ efforts to combat crime and illegal cannabis operations.

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