San Marcos, CA–A coalition of north county law enforcement agencies Thursday shutdown an illegal marijuana dispensary in San Marcos, authorities said Friday.
Detectives from the San Marcos Street Narcotics and Gang Team, with assistance from Vista and North Coastal, North County Regional Gang Task Force, Special Enforcement Detail and San Marcos Gang Enforcement Team personnel, executed simultaneous search warrants at 5 p.m. in San Marcos.
An illegally operated, unlicensed marijuana dispensary in the 900 block of Rancheros Drive and the dispensary owner’s residence were targeted during the warrant service.
The owner of the dispensary and one dispensary employee were arrested for the following violations: possession of marijuana for sale, marijuana sales, operating or maintaining a drug house and conspiracy.
Detectives seized: 34 pounds of processed marijuana, 738 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vape products, 53 pounds of THC-infused edibles, 4 pounds of THC concentrates, and $32,000 in cash, and a rifle, shotgun, and pistol.
Investigators discovered THC-infused edibles which falsely appeared to be legitimate name brand candies. It is not uncommon for unlicensed and unregulated cannabis dispensaries to market their dangerous products to children. Additionally, THC-infused food products closely resembling well-known name brands may be inadvertently consumed, creating potential health and safety risks.
Sheriff’s detectives were accompanied by San Marcos City Code Compliance, who are conducting their own investigation.
The warrant follows community concerns about illegal marijuana dispensaries operating near schools and residential areas.
“We want to assure those we serve that the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is listening to the community and recognizes the negative impact illegal marijuana dispensaries have on our neighborhoods,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
These unregulated facilities attract criminals involved in other illicit drugs, and are often the catalyst for violent crime, property crime, and financial crime that affect residents and other local businesses.
Products sold at unlicensed facilities are cultivated and manufactured using processes that may be harmful to consumers and are often marketed to children, creating a public safety hazard.
