RENSSELAER — Authorities executed a search warrant at a smoke shop Thursday, resulting in the arrest of an Albany man on multiple drug charges.
The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit and Rensselaer City Police Department Detectives conducted the raid at Steam Fog Smoke Shop, located at 150 Columbia Turnpike, at 2 p.m. on April 10.
Officials said the search warrant stemmed from complaints about flavored nicotine vapes being sold at the location, which developed into a parallel narcotics investigation.
Ali Shokias, 22, of Albany was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree.
Authorities seized an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency, scales, packaging materials, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, Suboxone patches, approximately 15.5 grams of methamphetamine, and approximately 12.6 grams of crack cocaine containing fentanyl.
Shokias was transported to the Public Safety Building in Troy without incident and processed before being arraigned in Rensselaer City Court.
Rensselaer City Mayor Michael Stammel expressed concern about the establishment’s proximity to a city park and playground, stating, “The City of Rensselaer had no awareness of the illegal drug activity taking place on the premises.”
