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Second Raid on South Bronx 'Budzotic' Nets 1 Ton of Illegal Cannabis and 11 Arrests

The case underscores a shift to residential setups as Operation Padlock targets unlicensed cannabis retailers.

Overview

  • Authorities said a multi-agency raid at 522 Timpson Pl on Aug. 21 seized about 2,000 pounds of cannabis products valued at roughly $5 million and resulted in 11 arrests.
  • Investigators also recovered $20,000 in cash, a .22-caliber revolver, crystal meth and illegal tobacco products, according to officials.
  • The site, identified as Budzotic, had been shut in July 2024 and later resumed operations in the same Mott Haven building, officials said.
  • Law enforcement described a sophisticated operation with extensive cameras and barcode-based entry, and some products were packaged to resemble candy wrappers.
  • City leaders credited 311 complaints with helping the case and said Operation Padlock has closed about 1,500 unlicensed shops and seized roughly $100 million as investigations continue.