Amsterdam Café Faces Embargo After Failed Inspection
The New Mexico CCD and RLD Enforcement Bureau have issued Embargo Order 2026-005 against Amsterdam Café and Smoke Shop, located at 301 San Pedro NE in Albuquerque. The order places all identified inventory under administrative hold after investigators determined they had reasonable grounds to believe products were evidence of violations of the CRA.
According to the embargo order, investigators visited the business on June 12, 2026 after a series of failed and incomplete inspections. During the visit, owner Marcos Antonio Pahan Cartigiano reportedly acknowledged conducting sales transactions. However, investigators state he was unable to account for those sales in BioTrack, and none of the inventory found onsite appeared in the facility’s track-and-trace account.
The CCD’s own inspection history suggests the problem may have been developing for months.
A failed annual inspection conducted in February noted that the location was “not open for business” and cited unresolved BioTrack discrepancies. Inspectors reported that BioTrack showed more than 20lbs of inventory that was not physically present onsite and that inventory records had not been updated. The inspection notes further state that the licensee reported losing his BioTrack support person and switching POS systems, leaving inventory reconciliation unresolved.
Failed API connections via 3rd party POS systems is not uncommon, however most providers have a trace dashboard to flag packages requiring reconciliation, the problem is depending on the reason for failing, fixing the problem is not always simple.
Subsequent re-inspections in April and June were unable to be completed. During the June 8 inspection attempt, Compliance Officer Elizabeth Coryell observed a sign directing visitors from the licensed premises at 301 San Pedro to a nearby unit at 305 San Pedro. When she attempted to inspect the facility, she was unable to contact the owner.
In an email, Coryell noted “When I went to that door the man that answered said that he was told to call the owner, especially if the CCD showed up.”,(Something all of us have been told to be fair). She also mentioned there had been no sales reported in BioTrack for six months and wrote that it was unclear whether sales were occurring at the licensed facility without being reported or whether sales were occurring from the neighboring address.
On June 12, 2026, Investigator Fresquez conducted an onsite visit to the facility and requested assistance from the RLD Enforcement Bureau due to suspected illicit activity. Bureau Chief Vince Mares, Special Agent Matt Valerio, and Special Agent Dwayne Epling accompanied Investigator Fresquez.
Respondent informed the agents that he was engaging in sales transactions. However, was unable to account for any such sales within the state mandated track-and-trace system.
The inventory listed under embargo includes a wide assortment of items from multiple brands:
3 × Dulce de Uva Flower — 454g
4 × Sweet Mango Gummies — 10mg
6 × SP Grape Gummies — 10mg / 100mg
3 × SP Blue Watermelon Gummies — 10mg / 100mg
3 × SP Pineapple Gummies — 10mg / 100mg
5 × 4.21 Acres CO2 Concentrate
6 × Cheech & Chong AHH Berry Flower — 3.5g (1/8 oz)
5 × Ascension Iced Sangria Hybrid — 1g Crumble
7 × Daily Dos — Hybrid Mochi Gelato
3 × Daily Dos UC Sativa — Maui Wowie
3 × Ascension Runtz & Roses Sativa — 1g Sugar
1 × Poquitos Gorilla Glue
1 × Poquitos Ice Cream Truck
1 × Co**etix Gentle Relief Balm — 1.1 oz
1 × Co**etix Comfort Lotion Lemongrass — 2 fl oz
1 × Xternal Topical Spray — 2 oz
Viewed alongside publicly reported sales data, the enforcement action raises additional questions. Amsterdam Café’s reported sales history shows limited activity over the past several years, with monthly sales peaking at roughly $2,200 before declining sharply. Reported sales later fell to double digits and single digits before effectively disappearing by late 2025.
The embargo order does not accuse the licensee of diversion, tax evasion, or operating illegally. However, regulators explicitly state they believe the products may constitute evidence of violations of the CRA, and cite concerns that inventory and sales transactions were not properly recorded in the state’s mandatory track-and-trace system, preventing regulators from verifying the lawful origin, movement, and disposition of the products.
The embargo will remain in place until CCD and the Enforcement Bureau complete their investigation or determine that the inventory can be released, recalled, seized, or destroyed.
