Two men have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics following an investigation into a smoke shop in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan. According to federal authorities, Mujahad Ali and Quirino Garcia Diaz were taken into custody on November 17, 2025. Garcia Diaz was apprehended at the smoke shop, which allegedly served as a hub for selling drug paraphernalia and cutting agents to drug traffickers.
The investigation led law enforcement to several large-scale narcotics operations in Manhattan, the Bronx, and New Jersey. Authorities seized significant quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, as well as multiple firearms during searches related to the case. The defendants are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker.
“Businesses, small or large, that engage in drug trafficking will be brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “As alleged, this Inwood smoke shop helped traffickers pump lethal narcotics into our city. New Yorkers want this stopped and we hear them.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino commented on the impact of fentanyl distribution: “Once again, we see the reckless lengths individuals are willing to go as they conspire, distribute, and profit from the sale of fentanyl, a drug that is singlehandedly destroying our communities and devastating families. The alleged use of a smoke shop to conceal their narcotics trafficking, which in turn led to the discovery of six drug mills, underscores their willingness to sacrifice the safety of our neighborhoods for personal gain. Illicit narcotic mills have no place in our communities, and the DEA will continue to do everything we can to eliminate these operations and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, between August 2024 and October 2025 Ali and Garcia Diaz sold cutting agents—substances used by traffickers to increase or alter drugs—and other paraphernalia from their business location. Undercover officers purchased these substances after indicating they would be mixed with drugs such as cocaine and heroin; Ali also advised on which agents would enhance certain drugs.
During approximately 14 months of operation under surveillance by law enforcement agencies—including undercover purchases—at least six narcotics mills were identified through customers connected with the smoke shop. This resulted in eight additional arrests among traffickers operating these facilities or storing illegal substances there.
Following the arrests of Ali and Garcia Diaz, police searched both the Inwood store and an adjacent storage unit used by them. Inside were rooms filled with cutting agents along with equipment commonly used for processing drugs: kilogram presses for compressing powder into bricks; sifters; grinders; scales; hundreds of thousands of packaging materials including glassine envelopes; vials; plastic bags.
Ali is a citizen of both Yemen and the United States while Garcia Diaz is a citizen of Mexico. Both face one count each of conspiracy to distribute narcotics—a charge carrying a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton acknowledged “the outstanding investigative work” conducted by DEA’s New York Field Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie L. Dang is prosecuting this case through the Office’s Narcotics Unit.
The charges remain accusations at this stage; both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
