Don’t want the cops to show up on the doorstep of your dispensary? Be extra careful when it comes to hiring, don’t violate building code regulations and stay away from other illicit drugs.
These are some of the lessons from a recent dispensary raid in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
During the raid on the TOP collective, authorities arrested an employee who was wanted for two outstanding arrest warrants. The employee was taken into custody when he arrived at work during the raid.
Police also discovered that two rooms in the dispensary had been converted into cultivation areas, violating building codes. They ended up seizing 25 pounds of processed marijuana, concentrated marijuana wax, edibles and 53 plants.
They also raided the home of the dispensary’s owner, Mario Quinonez, where they found 5.3 grams of cocaine, 2 grams of psychedelic mushrooms and a military-style bulletproof vest. Quinonez was booked for possession of the controlled substances.
Officials did not disclose the exact reasons behind the raid. But whether it was tied to the employee, the building code violations or the owner himself, it seems this particular dispensary was begging for scrutiny from the feds.
The raid is another example of why marijuana businesses need to maintain a squeaky clean image and avoid even the perception of wrongdoing. Law enforcement – both federal and local – have their magnifying glasses out and are looking closely at marijuana businesses. The low-hanging fruit are often the first ones targeted.
