WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – The state is accusing two Watertown tobacco shops of laundering money and violating the law by reopening.

Officials say the state will try again to close them.

A week ago, four tobacco shops in Watertown were closed after the state said it seized illegal marijuana from the stores.

Within a few days, two of the stores reopened – which the state says is against the law.

We visited the Cali Smoke Shop in the Plaza on State Street on Wednesday evening.

When asked about the store’s closure, an employee said, “The lawyers made sure it reopened.”

We also stopped at the NYC Smoke Shop on Factory Street – also open.

“We have a good lawyer,” said the employee there.

Those responsible for both businesses did not want to reveal the names of the lawyers.

The state’s Office of Cannabis Management says NYC Smoke Shop and Cali Smoke Shop are violating the law by reopening. The OCM says it locked and sealed those businesses last Wednesday.

Now that the authorities know that the stores have reopened, they will immediately come back to them and close them again.

On Thursday, 7 News again reached out to people at smoke shops in Cali and New York for comment.

When the Cali employee saw our camera, he closed the door, held it shut and locked it.

In NYC we were allowed to enter, but we were not welcome.

“Go. Out,” the employee told us.

According to the OCM, the companies face “significant penalties.” It also says that “money laundering activities” have taken place at both locations.

According to official information, landlords are being ordered to evict tenants.

The owner of the Factory Street property, Robert Ferris, said: “I am looking into what needs to be done.”

The building on the square is listed as being owned by 130 Dundon LCC of Georgia. We were unable to find contact information for this company.

According to the OCM, landlords who do not take action against tenants involved in illegal activities also face severe penalties.

The other two tobacco shops that were closed by the state last week remained closed.

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