OFFICIALS TARGET ALLEGED ILLEGAL DRUG SALES VIA MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

Dispensaries In Covina, Alhambra Searched

Authorities Wednesday served search warrants at 16 locations in four
counties - including medical marijuana dispensaries in Covina and
Alhambra - and arrested 11 people on suspicion of drug-related
charges, authorities said.

The searches took place in in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San
Diego counties and targeted what is believed to be a single group of
criminals illegally making and selling drugs via medical marijuana
dispensaries, Capt. Ralph Ornelas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Narcotics Bureau said.

The names of those arrested were not released late Wednesday pending
further investigation, he said.

"Members of the Narcotics Bureau, in a joint effort (with other
agencies), served simultaneous search warrants at 16 locations related
to the illegal manufacture and sales of marijuana, cannabis
concentrates and marijuana-laced food products through various outlets
in Southern California and other states," sheriff's officials said in
a written statement.

The searches targeted dispensaries and individuals operating out of
compliance with California's medical marijuana legislation, Ornelas
said.

"This organization was definitely working outside the law," he
said.

Among the sites searched by law enforcement were the Alternative
Medicine Collective of Covina, 20050 E. Arrow Highway, Suite B, as
well as an Alhambra dispensary, Ornelas said. The name of the Alhambra
dispensary was not available late Wednesday.

Officials seized 35 marijuana plants, valued at $70,000; 78 pounds of
processed pot, valued at $234,000; seven gallons of concentrated
cannabis oils, valued at $44,800; about 4,000 pre-packaged,
marijuana-laced edible products; hydroponic growing equipment and
chemicals; and about $20,000 in cash, according to the sheriff's statement.

Locations searched included five medical marijuana dispensaries, one
cultivation site, two processing sites and one sailboat, officials
added.

The suspects were booked on suspicion of crimes including cultivation
of marijuana, sales of marijuana and hashish, sales of
methamphetamine, sales of cocaine, sales of psilocybin and
manufacturing a controlled substance.