Kratom, Cannabis & Flavored Vapes Seized from Shuttered Rome ShopView

The Oneida County Health Department, in coordination with the New York State Office of Cannabis Management and the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, seized nearly 200 kratom products, 2,000 flavored vapes and an unspecified amount of cannabis after an inspection conducted Wednesday at Brooklyn Exotics in Rome.

During the Sept. 16 inspection of Brooklyn Exotics located at 401 Black River Boulevard N., the Health Department seized 1,950 flavored vapor products, 184 kratom products and one unlabeled pre-packaged product containing an unidentified substance.

Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) personnel separately seized an unspecified amount of cannabis located at the establishment. Upon completion of the inspection, OCM padlocked the premises.

"Together with our state and local partners, we continue to take action when businesses are found to be selling products that violate the law," said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. "This latest inspection in Rome demonstrates that these enforcement efforts are ongoing and that we will continue working to protect the health and safety of our residents."

This latest inspection is the eighth establishment targeted through coordinated enforcement efforts involving the Health Department since July. To date, the following establishments have been inspected:

• Talk Talk Inc., Clinton - July 9: 929 flavored vapor products seized
• West Main Deli & Tobacco Inc., Boonville - August 6: 1,000 flavored vapor products and 77 kratom products seized
• Z1 Smoke Shop, Boonville - August 6: 137 flavored vapor products and 23 kratom products seized
• UT One Corporation, Utica - August 27: 589 flavored vapor products, 30 packets of 7-OH and one package containing an unidentified substance seized
• Mr. Romano Convenience Market, Utica - August 27: 50 suspected synthetic cannabis packages seized
• Aden Shop, Utica - August 28: 97 kratom products seized
• Dalaly Deli Corp., Utica - September 3: 30 suspected packets of K2 seized

Including the September 16 inspection, OCHD has seized more than 4,600 flavored vapor products and more than 400 kratom products through these eight enforcement actions, in addition to synthetic cannabis products, K2, 7-OH and other items.

The enforcement actions have involved the Health Department working alongside various local, state and federal partners, including the Sheriff's Office, the Oneida County District Attorney's Office, OCM, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, local police departments, the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, depending on the individual investigation.

The investigations and enforcement actions remain ongoing.