FEDS RAID POT CLINIC IN LONG BEACH

DEA Agents Serve Warrant at Dispensary, Seize Cannabis, Arrest One in
First Action Vs. L.B. Clinic.

LONG BEACH - Federal agents served a search warrant at a local
medical marijuana dispensary on Tuesday, seizing cannabis and money
and arresting one individual, authorities said Wednesday.

Tuesday's raid was the first of its kind in Long Beach since the 1996
passage of state Prop. 215, the Compassionate Use Act that legalized
marijuana for patients with certain medical conditions.

Although state laws authorize the distribution of medical marijuana
in certain circumstances, federal law still prohibits distribution of
the drug for any purpose, Special Agent Jose Martinez, a spokesman
for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles Field
Division, said Wednesday.

Tuesday's warrant was served by DEA agents at about 11 a.m. at Long
Beach Compassionate Caregivers, located at 342 E. Fourth St., authorities said.

No one at Long Beach Compassionate Caregivers could be reached for
comment on Wednesday. There was no reply to knocks at the
dispensary's door and a sign posted out front read "closed indefinitely."

Agents seized an undetermined amount of marijuana and cash from the
dispensary and one person was arrested in connection with federal
drug charges, Martinez said.

That person's name was not available Wednesday, he said.

Formal federal charges have not been filed and the investigation is
ongoing, Martinez said.

Control of the dispensary was returned to the proprietor once the
search warrant was served, he said.

"A federal search warrant was served on the basis of probable cause,"
Martinez explained Wednesday. "We believe they are in violation of
federal law."

Based on their investigation, the DEA may refer the case to the U.S.
Attorney's office, which would then decide whether the case qualifies
for federal prosecution, Martinez explained.

Under federal law, conviction for conspiracy to distribute marijuana
carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, according to the U.S.
Attorney's office.

Federal authorities have carried out a series of search warrants in
California cities this year, but Tuesday's warrant marked a first for
Long Beach, authorities said.

So far, owners and operators of four marijuana dispensaries across
the state - Morro Bay, Corona and two in West Hollywood - have been
indicted on federal criminal charges alleging they conspired to
distribute and sell large quantities of marijuana for large profits,
according to the U.S. Attorney's office and the DEA.

In one indictment, two men - Larry R. Kristich, 64, who is believed
to be in Costa Rica, and James Carberry, 51, who is believed to be in
Arizona - were charged with operating a chain of marijuana
dispensaries in seven different cities in California, all of which
operate under the name "Compassionate Caregivers."

The indictment against Kristich and Carberry alleged sales of
marijuana and THC-laced products that totaled more than $95 million
over a four-year period and that Kristich used profits from marijuana
sales to purchase expensive automobiles and real estate in Costa Rica.

The indictment further charged that Kristich, with business associate
James L. Ealy, 40, of Tujunga, set up non-drug-related businesses to
launder those profits.

In another indictment, Charles C. Lynch, 45, of Arroyo Grande, was
accused of selling more than $2.1 million in marijuana in just one
year at the Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers dispensary in Morro Bay.

Lynch and his employees were charged with selling marijuana to 281
minors during that year. Also charged in the indictment was Dr.
Armand T. Tollette Jr., 45, of Culver City, who is accused of writing
marijuana recommendations for payment, including recommendations for
minors with no medical examination.

Martinez said Wednesday it was not known if Long Beach Compassionate
Caregivers is connected to any of the dispensaries included in the
two indictments.

"It's still under investigation," Martinez added. "Our guys are
looking into it."