Pubdate: Sat, 03 Apr 2010
Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)
Copyright: 2010 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.dailybulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/871
Author: Jannise Johnson
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors 
may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been 
convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or 
officials.

MARIJUANA DISPENSARY RAID RESULTED AFTER SEVERAL MONTH  INVESTIGATION BY SB 
COUNTY AUTHORITIES

The raid of a medical marijuana dispensary last week  was the result of a 
Sheriff's investigation that begin  several months ago after deputies 
received complaints  that marijuana was being sold at a store in the 
3700  block of Riverside Drive in an unincorporated area of Chino.

The dispensary was not operating legally, according to  information from 
the San Bernardino County Sheriff's  Department.

The sheriff's department's Marijuana Eradication Team  (MET) served search 
warrants for five different  locations Tuesday and seized about 20 pounds 
of  marijuana, more than $500,000 cash, firearms and other evidence that 
suggested marijuana was being sold  illegally, according to the release.

MET team members investigated to determine if the San  Bernardino Patient's 
Association was operating within  the legal guidelines of the medical 
marijuana statutes,  according to the release.

Cindy Beavers, sheriff's spokeswoman, said the arrests  targeted only those 
people found to be in violation of  the law.

Deputies were instructed, "to comply with the folks who  had a 
recommendation from a doctor or had a medical  marijuana card," she 
explained. "If they were within  the guidelines set forth they would not be 
arrested or  cited and their marijuana would not be confiscated."

The facility was also out of compliance with county  laws because business 
licenses are not issued for  medical marijuana dispensaries, Beavers said. 
In  addition to two locations in unincorporated Chino, people 
were  arrested at locations in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles and Corona, 
according to the release.

Those arrested were {name redacted], 39, bail $4  million, {name redacted], 
35, bail $4  million, {name redacted], 37, with bail $1 million,  {name 
redacted], 20, bail $90,000, {name redacted], 21, bail $50,000, {name 
redacted],  21, bail $50,000 and {name redacted], 58, bail  $90,000.

All the suspects were booked into West Valley Detention  Center in Rancho 
Cucamonga on suspicion of possession  for sales of marijuana, and sales of 
marijuana.

{name redacted] was arrested and booked on suspicion of possession  of a 
controlled substance for sale.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D