DEA, IRS, Modesto Police Search Medical Marijuana Business

[Spliff Twister]

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Modesto Police Department have raided what they say is one of the biggest medical marijuana dispensaries in Northern California.

This morning, officers went to the California Healthcare Collective at Fairmont Avenue and McHenry Avenue in Modesto to serve seven search warrants. The search comes in the wake of a number of federal indictments against the owners of the collective.

Agents came out with 12 boxes. There is an ATM and a money-counting machine inside the business. Authorities called a lock smith to help them get into the business's safe.

More information is expected to come from a news conference at 1 p.m.

The raid comes on the heels of a vote by the Modesto City Council Tuesday to close a loophole in an ordinance aimed at banning medical marijuana businesses. Previously, the ban only applied to marijuana dispersaries that made a profit from sales. The California Healthcare Collective claimed it was a non-profit organization. The council changed the ordinance so it now applies to non-profits as well.


NewsHawk: _qWERTY - 420Times.com
Source: News10/KXTV (Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto)
Pubdate: September 27, 2006
Copyright: 2006 News10/KXTV
Contact: comments@news10.net
Website: https://www.news10.net/default.htm

 

[Pinch]

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Modesto Police Department

at the request of local powers.. they always leave that part out.

The only weapon you have is the vote.

Vote that Modesto City Council out!

Good night and good luck.

 

[Spliff Twister]

Hi all,

Here is a brief update on the DEA and Modesto Police raid that occurred
on California Healthcare Collective on September 27.

Four people have been indicted on federal charges of distribution of
marijuana and conspiracy to distribute. All four defendants had been
granted bail by the Fresno federal court. Two defendants, Jose Malagon,
33, and Antonio Malagon, 28, have now been released pending trial. The
two other defendants, Luke Scarmazzo and Ricardo Montes, both 26, have
not yet been released due to a federal government appeal of their bail.

There is a hearing on the bail appeal for Luke and Richard this Monday.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please review the following
details.

What: Hearing on the government's appeal of bail granted to Luke
Scarmazzo and Richard Montes:
When: Monday, October 16 at 11am
Where: Fresno federal court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, 6th
Floor, Courtroom #8
Why: Because your support is critical to the release of these
medical marijuana providers