Pubdate: Wed, 02 Nov 2011
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Tim Petruk, Kamloops This Week

OWNER ARRESTED IN RAID OF KAMLOOPS POT DISPENSARY

Police say the owner of a North Kamloops marijuana dispensary could
face drug-trafficking and obstruction charges following a raid on the
business today (Nov. 1).

Carl Anderson was arrested outside the Canadian Safe Cannabis Society
just after 1 p.m.

Anderson, who owns and operates the business at 405 Tranquille Rd.,
had been sitting in front of the building's front door while police
executed a search warrant inside.

Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Grant Learned said officers seized drugs,
business records and computers from the business.

He said investigators also uncovered a 50-plant grow operation inside
the building.

Officers entered the business just after 10 a.m. today.

At about 1:25 p.m., Mounties hauled four large cardboard boxes out of
the building and into a waiting police van.

More than a dozen protesters were outside the storefront, many yelling
obscenities at Mounties.

In addition to Anderson's arrest, another female was taken into
custody. She had been standing in front of the business and apparently
refused to move for a police SUV which was trying to park.

Witnesses said she was bumped by the vehicle, or possibly had her foot
run over. She was then led away in handcuffs.

Prior to Anderson's arrest, he was sitting on the ground in front of
the store's front door.

"My rights are being violated," he said, when approached by an
officer.

"I'm not leaving this door under my own power."

Three Mounties then rolled him onto his front and placed him in
handcuffs before dragging him through the parking lot and placing him
in a waiting police vehicle.

As of 4:30 p.m., Anderson was still in custody at the Kamloops RCMP's
Battle Street detachment.

However, according to Learned, police are trying to let him
go.

"At this point, he's declined to leave," he said.

"Basically, he doesn't want to leave. But it's our intention to have
him leave, because there's no reason to hold him."

City of Kamloops property-use inspector Dave Jones said city staff
were on-hand while the warrant was executed in an attempt to determine
whether Anderson was violating any of the terms of his business licence.

"We were there today to look at if the owner was in compliance with
his business licence," he said.

"He has a current business licence on-site as an administration
office."

Jones said city staff have yet to make a decision.

"It's too early," he said.

"We're reviewing it with senior management."

If Anderson is found to be in violation of his business licence, he
could be fined.

Jones said it's unlikely he would have his business licence
revoked.

"At this time, I don't believe we're seeking that," he
said.

"Typically, we seek compliance."

In addition to the potential obstruction and trafficking charges
against Anderson, Learned said the 29-year-old woman arrested outside
the business could also face a charge of obstructing a peace officer.
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