CANNABIS REGULATION TASK FORCE SERVES SEARCH WARRANT
February 21, 2019
AT ILLEGALLY OPERATING DISPENSARY IN THOUSAND PALMS
At about 5:45 p.m., Feb. 21, 2019, task force members raided the location at 72779 Datil Way. An illegal dispensary had previously operated at the same location under the name “Good Good” and was issued a lock-out order by Riverside County Counsel and county code enforcement officials.
At Thursday night’s operation, task force members seized 17 pounds of marijuana from the storefront operation and a cease and desist order was issued. No arrests were made.
“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal marijuana operations,” said Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, whose department is part of the task force. “We are committed to continuing to work with our local law enforcement agencies and our District Attorney to eradicate these illicit operations.”
The purpose of the Cannabis Regulation Task Force, which is operated by the DA’s Office, is to protect properly licensed legal cannabis businesses and enforce regulatory requirements which protect the environment and consumers.
The aim of the task force is not to shut down legally operating facilities, but rather to ensure fair business practices and keep criminal activity out of the legal cannabis industry and out of our communities. When dispensaries operate without following the law or regulations, their unfair business practices impact those dispensaries which are obeying the law. Illegal or unlicensed dispensaries also may be providing customers with untested and potentially harmful products.
The Cannabis Regulation Task Force will continue its investigations into all unlicensed and illegal dispensaries in Riverside County.
Agencies currently on the task force include the DA’s Bureau of Investigation, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the Hemet Police Department, the Riverside Police Department, and the Temecula Police Department. Also assisting in today’s operation were personnel from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.