Hoboken CBD, snack shop charged with illegal cannabis sales

While entrepreneurs have patiently worked and waited to legally open cannabis storefronts in Hoboken, one Washington Street snack and CBD shop was busy selling it illegally, police allege.

Hoboken Exotic, at 521 Washington St., was busted after police charged three people with illegally selling cannabis there, including the store owner, an employee and a minor, according to the Hoboken Police Department.

The department began an investigation in February that included undercover cannabis purchases after community members complained of the marijuana being sold at the business, according to the department.

“The sale and use of unregulated cannabis and illicit drugs has been prevalent across the state,” said Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “Thank you to the community for coming forth to report the illegal sale of cannabis and to the hard-working men and women of the police department for their thorough investigation.”

Brahim Brahim, 33, of Jersey City, who police identified as an employee, was charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, including for being within 1,000 feet of a school and 500 feet of a public park. The store’s owner, Esa Alsaedi, 32 of Queens, was charged with employing a juvenile in a drug scheme, police said. The juvenile was also processed, they said.

Alsaedi and Brahim were both released from jail as they await court dates.

According to Hoboken spokeswoman Marilyn Bear, the city’s zoning officer notified the business that its Final Certificate of Zoning Compliance and Certificate of Occupancy have been revoked and, as such, it has been instructed to close immediately.

In addition, the business was issued three summonses related to illegal operation of a cannabis business. They are: operating a cannabis business without a license issued by the State of New Jersey; operating a cannabis business without obtaining zoning compliance and certificate of occupancy for that use; and failure to collect and remit taxes to the City of Hoboken on the sale of cannabis products.

The store opened last November and stocked “exotic snacks” including international chips and cookies as well as CBD, vapes and cigarettes. It had garnered more than 61,000 Instagram followers.

Jersey City police busted a smoke shop in the Heights called Lifted AF last July for similarly operating as an unlicensed dispensary.