On September 19, 2025, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) shut down two businesses for illegal cannabis sales.
The Closure Orders were executed at 70 Smoke Shop and Tobacco King, both unlicensed retailers, due to activities that posed an imminent danger to public health and safety.
The operation was part of the city's ongoing enforcement efforts following the enactment of the Medical Cannabis Conditional License and Unlicensed Establishment Closure Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2024, which granted ABCA new civil enforcement powers. Since the bill took effect on July 15, 2024, joint agency efforts have resulted in the padlocking of 75 illegal cannabis businesses.
Seizure and Arrest Details
70 Smoke Shop (4526 Georgia Avenue Street NW)
- Marijuana:1.7 Pounds
- Mushroom Edibles:48 Grams
- THC Vapes:7.5 Grams
- US Currency: $115
- Arrest: Forty-three-year-old Kidane Mariam Felege of Alexandria, VA
Tobacco King (1718 14th Street NW)
- Marijuana: 7.4 pounds
- Mushrooms: 236 Grams
- Mushroom Edibles: 1235.2 Grams
- THC Edibles: 1754 Grams
- US Currency: $2865
- Arrests: Twenty-Two-year-old Ahmed Almakari, of Northwest Washington, and Twenty-four-year-old Ahmad Draoui, of Arlington, VA
The public can continue to support enforcement efforts by reporting suspected illegal cannabis businesses online at abca.dc.gov/service/complaint. Submissions can be made anonymously. To locate a licensed medical cannabis Retailer, visit abca.dc.gov/service/find-medical-cannabis-retailer.
Questions regarding:
- Medical cannabis licensing and enforcement should be directed to ABCA at [email protected].
- Illegal product seizure and arrests should be directed to MPD at [email protected].