Exclusive: Long Island store owner says drugs not his

ByKristin Thorne and Eyewitness News WABC logo
Friday, October 6, 2017
Exclusive: Long Island store owner says drugs found at business not his
Kristin Thorne reports on a synthetic marijuana bust at a Long Island store.

WILLISTON PARK, Long Island (WABC) -- Eyewitness News spoke exclusively with the owner of a Long Island business where police say they found thousands of bags of synthetic marijuana.

Police arrested Rajesh Shah and Sunita Shah, who own an accessory store on Hillside Avenue in Williston Park.

Investigators say the Williston Park Fire Department responded to the vicinity of the store after receiving reports of a strong odor.

Nassau Police say in the basement of the store they found 5,300 bags of synthetic marijuana and 20 pounds of loose synthetic marijuana. Several cans of chemicals were also discovered. The estimated recovered street value of the marijuana is $250,000.

The store has since been shut down.

The attorney for the Shah's says the basement is leased out to a different entity and has nothing to do with his clients or their business.

"This is an accident. That's all I can say. I'm not involved in anything," he said.

Sunita Shah and Rajeesh Shah are charged with criminal possession precursor of a controlled substance, reckless endangerment 2nd Degree, and illegal use of nitrous oxide.