Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Page: A12 Copyright: 2002 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Ian Austin ARMED RAID AT TEA HOUSE Two men were arrested when Vancouver police made a dramatic entrance at the Marijuana Tea House at 319 West Pender. The Emergency Response Team entered with guns drawn, forced about 30 patrons to the floor, then handcuffed everyone before searching the premises. The owners had promised to allow in only medical patients with Health Canada approval to smoke pot, but Det. Scott Driemel said that was not the case last Friday night. "There was nobody at all who had Halth Canada documents," said Driemel. "A search turned up $5,000 worth of marijuana buds, $3,300 in cash, $4,200 worth of seeds, plus hash oil. There also was electrical equipment being set up to grow plants." Owners held a media open house last fall, but only had a business licence to operate for that one day. "But the business continued operating," said Driemel. Undercover cops went to the club and allegedly purchased pot, leading to a search warrant that allowed police to raid the business. Charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and two counts of trafficking is Yoram Alexander Adler, 39, of Vancouver. Charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking is Michael Maniotis, 42, of Vancouver. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake