Pubdate: Fri, 14 Aug 2015
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Laura Kane
Page: A4

POT SHOP OWNER DENIES ANY TIES TO CRIME

Police Raid Store in Vancouver; Operator Watched Online From His 
Dispensary in Nanaimo

VANCOUVER - An owner of a Vancouver marijuana store that was raided 
by police says allegations his shop is connected to organized crime 
are "absolutely false."

Robert Clarke said he was stunned after police executed a search 
warrant at his Limelife Society store in east Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon.

"I have nothing to do with organized crime. I've never even had a 
criminal charge in my life. I come from a normal family," he said on Thursday.

"I don't know where they're getting their information. They never 
called me, they never informed me about this. They just sort of ran with it."

Clarke, 32, said he's the sole owner of four Limelife Society stores 
in Vancouver. He also owns a dispensary in Nanaimo, where he watched 
the raid unfold on a live security camera feed.

Officers seized about a pound of marijuana and arrested a 25-year-old 
male employee before releasing him without charges, Clarke said.

He said a female staff member was recently fired from the east 
Vancouver store after she was caught on camera selling pot to "one or 
two" youths.

"We have a no-tolerance rule for selling to minors," he said. "I 
think it was an honest mistake. She forgot to card someone."

Clarke said he's in the middle of shutting down the location because 
of an outcry from the quiet residential community. He said he doesn't 
know the building's owners well.

Police also raided a suite upstairs that they said was connected to 
the pot shop, but did not arrest any residents.

Sgt. Randy Fincham said the drug unit has watched the store for about 
a month following complaints it was connected to organized crime.

He wouldn't identify the gang but said it was a "fairly substantial group."

Fincham said officers quickly determined the outlet was selling to 
youth and people without valid medical marijuana licences. The 
investigation is ongoing.

He said police are not investigating the Limelife Society's three 
other stores in Vancouver.

"We wouldn't group [together] a particular name of a store and 
automatically target the other ones as well, unless we had evidence 
to suggest that was necessary."

Vancouver recently became the first city in Canada to regulate 
illegal marijuana dispensaries, requiring operators to pay a $30,000 
licensing fee and locate at least 300 metres away from community 
centres, schools, and each other.

There are more than 80 dispensaries operating in the city.

Fincham said Vancouver police remain focused on stopping violent drug 
traffickers and those who jeopardize the safety of young or 
vulnerable residents.

He said 11 warrants have been served on marijuana stores across 
Vancouver. Twenty people have been arrested, with 29 charges recommended.

But he said police are strapped for resources when it comes to 
investigating pot shops. Since the spring, officers have been focused 
on stopping the importation and production of the dangerous opioid fentanyl.

"That appears to be the one that is the greatest public health 
concern right now," he said. "It's the biggest safety risk for our 
kids. ... So that's the one we're continuing to pursue."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom