By: Richard L. Smith
A sweeping law enforcement operation has resulted in charges against 20 people following a months-long investigation into smoke shops across Morris County accused of illegally selling marijuana, THC vape products, flavored vapes, and other prohibited items.
According to information sent by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation was led by the prosecutor’s office in partnership with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Randolph, Boonton, Montville, Roxbury, Denville, and Parsippany-Troy Hills.
The investigation is part of an initiative by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General targeting smoke shops that allegedly sell illegal flavored vape products, intoxicating hemp products, and marijuana without the required state licensing.
Authorities said the investigation began in April 2026 and focused on 11 businesses in Boonton, Montville Township, Randolph Township, and Roxbury Township that investigators allege were operating as unlicensed cannabis retailers.
On July 1, law enforcement officers simultaneously executed 11 search warrants at businesses, along with a residence and a vehicle.
Investigators seized more than 17,000 flavored tobacco vapes, nearly 56,700 THC vape products weighing approximately 125.5 pounds, 328 pounds of THC-infused gummies and edibles, 16.5 pounds of marijuana, about 100 canisters of nitrous oxide, and more than $45,000 in cash.
The following individuals were charged as part of the investigation:
- Dhafer Ghaleb (owner) and Ali Alsaydi (employee) of Vape Waves Smoke Shop in Montville Township.
- Firas Damra, Madhat Abunasser (owner), and David Grzesiak(employee) of True Blaze Smoke Shop/Wah Wah 2 Smoke Shop LLC in Boonton.
- Sandra Porras of Green Lux Smoke Shop in Roxbury Township.
- Ashley Naranjo Belaczar (employee) of Green Lux Smoke Shop in Morris Plains.
- Srinivasa Koppisetti (owner) of Crown Cigar & Smoke in Boonton.
- Goktan Ozdemir (manager) and Levent Unal (employee) of Heritage Marketplace in Randolph Township.
- Devinder Singh (owner), Amit Pundir (employee), and Dinesh Chander(employee) of MK Mini Mart in Roxbury Township.
- Anthony Castro (employee) of Sweet Dreams in Roxbury Township.
- Mead Almontaser (owner) of M&S Convenience & Cigar in Boonton.
- Jigarkumar Patel, Riya Patel, and Meet Patel, part-owners of Stardust Smoke Shop in Randolph Township.
Prosecutors said the defendants face allegations including conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and other controlled substances, money laundering, unlawful possession and sale of intoxicating products, drug paraphernalia offenses, and, in some cases, psilocybin-related offenses, among dozens of additional charges.
Authorities also executed a search warrant at Smoke & Deli in Boonton, where officials issued a written warning for a first offense involving the alleged sale of less than one ounce of marijuana.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll credited the numerous county and local agencies that participated in the investigation, saying the coordinated effort disrupted the illegal sale of marijuana, intoxicating hemp products, and prohibited flavored vape products operating within Morris County communities.
Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active, and additional charges could be filed as investigators continue reviewing evidence.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.