Over 600 NYC illegal vape shops shut down during Operation Padlock: Adams

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Over 600 illegal vape shops in New York City have been shut down during Operation Padlock to Protect, Mayor Eric Adams told PIX11 News.

"Many of them have remained closed," he said. "We're gonna stay committed to closing down these shops."

A Throggs Neck deli was shut down on Wednesday after illegal drugs were discovered in the back, officials said. The Sheriff’s Office likely seized $1 million in illegal products and nine people were arrested, according to authorities.

Some of the drug products were marketed toward children, Adams said.

"I believe this is a well-organized, almost chain store-type distributer," Adams said about where the illegal products are believed to be coming from. "Which they are really supplying not only here in the city, but probably throughout the entire state."

"The community plays a critical role in supplying information," said New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda about residents' role in getting the illegal shops shut down. "They're usually the first ones that encounter and know the illegal stores… as they're operating or opening."

Adams also spoke about the Brooklyn homeless shelter protest that led to the arrests of a councilwoman and six others, the FDNY commissioner stepping down and 3-K placements.