AGENTS RAID DISPENSARY

Federal agents and local law enforcers raided a marijuana dispensary
and a private home Tuesday, seizing some 50 pounds of marijuana and
thousands of dollars in cash, officials said.

David Chavez Jr., the son of the dispensary owner, was arrested on
suspicion of possessing a small amount of cocaine, officials said at
a news conference. Both David Chavez Sr. and his son operate Nature's
Medicinal Cooperative at 323 Roberts Lane.

Authorities also raided the Chavez residence in the 200 block of
Montalvo Street.

There could be additional arrests in the case, according to Stephen
Peterson, resident agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Agency in
Bakersfield.

In addition to the 50 pounds of marijuana, several pounds of
marijuana-laced candy and ice cream were seized, Peterson said.
Pot-laced cookies, chocolate bars and peppermint patties in various
colors of wrapping were on a table in a Sheriff's Department
auditorium where a 2 p.m. news conference was held.

The dispensary was doing millions of dollars in business a year,
Peterson said. Agents seized $50,000 in cash.

Although California law allows for medical marijuana dispensaries,
possession of any amount of the drug is illegal under federal law.
Peterson said area law enforcement agencies participated to ensure
the safety of the public.

"A uniformed presence is a huge plus for everyone's safety," Peterson said.

Bakersfield police Detective Greg Terry said the department is a part
of federal task forces regarding narcotics and gangs and routinely
cooperates with federal investigations.

NORML Protests

Douglas McAfee, president of the Bakersfield chapter of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said he objected to
local law enforcement cooperating with the DEA on marijuana busts.

He said local law enforcement should enforce California laws and not
be used by the federal government.

"They're keeping medicine from patients that need it and they're
keeping people in fear," McAfee said.

McAfee is organizing a march for noon Saturday at Beach Park on the
right of Californians to receive medicinal marijuana. He said
Tuesday's bust will be a focal point of the march.

The Scene

A man dressed all in black, including a mask, and carrying a
semiautomatic weapon stood guard at the front of the dispensary
Tuesday morning. A deputy was stationed at the side door.

More than 20 customers tried to enter the dispensary during a
two-hour period, but none were granted access.

Rex Palmer made his way to the side door in a wheelchair and knocked,
but no one answered. Palmer, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was
there to fill his marijuana prescription.

"Apparently I'm not going in," Palmer said.

'Shut Them All Down'

Area resident Larry Satterfield was glad to see the dispensary get
raided. He said there are people who legally get the marijuana from
the dispensary but then sell it to friends.

The odor of marijuana is easily detected along the street at night,
he said. Residents just walk up and down the street smoking it
without fear of getting caught.

"They need to shut them all down," Satterfield said of local dispensaries.

Assisting the DEA were the Kern County Sheriff Patrol Division, the
Sheriff's Major Violator Unit, the Bakersfield Police Department
Major Violator Unit and the Southern Tri-County High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area Unit, according to a news release.

The dispensary could reopen.

"But be in mind we'll probably be back," Peterson said.