ricky1lung
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Police shut down Vancouver pot shop with alleged ties to organized crime
VANCOUVER — The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 2:32PM EDT
Last updated Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 2:56PM EDT
Police have moved in to shut down an illegal Vancouver marijuana store that investigators allege has links to organized crime.
Sgt. Randy Fincham of Vancouver police said in a news release that officers raided the Limelife Society store, located on the east side of the city, on Wednesday night.
He said one employee was arrested and released at the scene, and evidence was seized.
(For more on Vancouver’s dispensaries, read The Globe’s in-depth explainer: Vancouver’s pot shops: Everything you need to know about marijuana dispensaries)
Members of the force’s drug unit have watched the store for about a month, following complaints that it may be linked to organized crime.
Fincham said officers quickly determined the outlet was selling to youths and people without valid medical marijuana licenses.
“Our priority remains focused on violent drug traffickers and those who jeopardize the safety of youth and the marginalized in our community,” Fincham said in the release.
To date, 11 warrants have been served on marijuana dispensaries, which operate outside the licensed medical marijuana system.
The city and the police have taken a hands-off approach to enforcement, allowing dozens of shops to open up in all corners of Vancouver. City council recently approved new regulations to provide licences to dispensaries, though the federal government has said they remain illegal.
With files from staff
VANCOUVER — The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 2:32PM EDT
Last updated Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 2:56PM EDT
Police have moved in to shut down an illegal Vancouver marijuana store that investigators allege has links to organized crime.
Sgt. Randy Fincham of Vancouver police said in a news release that officers raided the Limelife Society store, located on the east side of the city, on Wednesday night.
He said one employee was arrested and released at the scene, and evidence was seized.
(For more on Vancouver’s dispensaries, read The Globe’s in-depth explainer: Vancouver’s pot shops: Everything you need to know about marijuana dispensaries)
Members of the force’s drug unit have watched the store for about a month, following complaints that it may be linked to organized crime.
Fincham said officers quickly determined the outlet was selling to youths and people without valid medical marijuana licenses.
“Our priority remains focused on violent drug traffickers and those who jeopardize the safety of youth and the marginalized in our community,” Fincham said in the release.
To date, 11 warrants have been served on marijuana dispensaries, which operate outside the licensed medical marijuana system.
The city and the police have taken a hands-off approach to enforcement, allowing dozens of shops to open up in all corners of Vancouver. City council recently approved new regulations to provide licences to dispensaries, though the federal government has said they remain illegal.
With files from staff
