A marijuana shop in East Vancouver was raided Wednesday night after police received a tip that it’s connected to organized crime.
The Vancouver Police Department said officers from its Drug Unit executed a search warrant at a Limelife Society location on Rupert Street following a weeks-long investigating into the alleged criminal ties.
Police arrested one employee, who was later released at the scene, and seized undisclosed evidence from the shop.
Sgt. Randy Fincham said investigators also discovered the shop was selling marijuana to young people, despite a sign on the door reading “No minors.”
“Police learned a number of youth were coming into the store [and] obtaining marijuana, as well as a number of people without valid licences,” Fincham said.
The incident marks the 11th time police have executed search warrants at marijuana dispensaries in the city.
Fincham said their focus remains on violent drug traffickers, as opposed to dispensaries, but that police will respond to all concerns from residents living near marijuana shops and take action when necessary.
Police won’t confirm which organized crime group Limelife is allegedly connected to, but described it as “significant.”
Limelife told CTV News it denies all the allegations against it. No charges have been laid since the police raid.
The store was at the centre of some controversy earlier this year after putting up posters advertising it was "Open all day and all night for welfare day."
There are more than 90 marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver.
With files from CTV Vancouver’s Peter Grainger
