News (Media Awareness Project) - US WA: Kent Police Serve Warrants At Four Medical Marijuana |
| Title: | US WA: Kent Police Serve Warrants At Four Medical Marijuana |
| Published On: | 2011-07-06 |
| Source: | Kent Reporter (WA) |
| Fetched On: | 2011-07-07 06:01:43 |
KENT POLICE SERVE WARRANTS AT FOUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES
Kent Police served search warrants at four medical marijuana
businesses Wednesday afternoon, according to a city of Kent media release.
The businesses, all located in the Kent Valley, have been the subject
of an ongoing investigation for selling medicinal marijuana in
violation of state law.
The search warrants are the city's latest step in a process that began
with notice to marijuana dispensary owners they must close or face the
loss of their business licenses and potential criminal charges.
The Kent City Council passed a six-month emergency moratorium Tuesday
on the establishment and operation of medical marijuana collective
gardens and dispensaries within the city limits on a 5-2 vote.
Cease and desist letters were mailed to each business owner in early
June, followed by a second round of notices delivered by Kent Police
three weeks later.
Last week, police confirmed drug sales were still occurring at each
business, according to city officials. Search warrants were requested
and issued by the Kent Municipal Court authorizing police to search
the four businesses.
The warrants directed officers to seize evidence including drugs,
computers, cell phones, security devices, and weapons.
"State law has put the city in a precarious position; we cannot just
stand by while activity that is illegal under state and federal law
occurs in the city," said Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke in a prepared statement.
Each of the warrants were served without incident by a team of
uniformed police officers and representatives from the city's legal
department. Police officers and investigators anticipate remaining on
scene into Wednesday afternoon while they continue their investigation
and evidence collection.
The case will be referred to the Kent City Attorney for
prosecution.
Police served warrants at:
Herbal Choice Caregivers, 19011 68th Ave. S.; Suzie Q's, 19435 68th
Ave. S.; Sun Leaf Medical Center, 6625 S. 190th St.; and Evergreen
Holistic Center, 204 N. Central Ave.
Kent Police served search warrants at four medical marijuana
businesses Wednesday afternoon, according to a city of Kent media release.
The businesses, all located in the Kent Valley, have been the subject
of an ongoing investigation for selling medicinal marijuana in
violation of state law.
The search warrants are the city's latest step in a process that began
with notice to marijuana dispensary owners they must close or face the
loss of their business licenses and potential criminal charges.
The Kent City Council passed a six-month emergency moratorium Tuesday
on the establishment and operation of medical marijuana collective
gardens and dispensaries within the city limits on a 5-2 vote.
Cease and desist letters were mailed to each business owner in early
June, followed by a second round of notices delivered by Kent Police
three weeks later.
Last week, police confirmed drug sales were still occurring at each
business, according to city officials. Search warrants were requested
and issued by the Kent Municipal Court authorizing police to search
the four businesses.
The warrants directed officers to seize evidence including drugs,
computers, cell phones, security devices, and weapons.
"State law has put the city in a precarious position; we cannot just
stand by while activity that is illegal under state and federal law
occurs in the city," said Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke in a prepared statement.
Each of the warrants were served without incident by a team of
uniformed police officers and representatives from the city's legal
department. Police officers and investigators anticipate remaining on
scene into Wednesday afternoon while they continue their investigation
and evidence collection.
The case will be referred to the Kent City Attorney for
prosecution.
Police served warrants at:
Herbal Choice Caregivers, 19011 68th Ave. S.; Suzie Q's, 19435 68th
Ave. S.; Sun Leaf Medical Center, 6625 S. 190th St.; and Evergreen
Holistic Center, 204 N. Central Ave.
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