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Compassion Club shut down by Police
By admin | August 3, 2011
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Compassion Club shut down by Police
2011-06-23 15:20 PDT
Chilliwack, BC: On June 21, 2011, the Chilliwack RCMP was notified, through a tip that was received by the City of Chilliwack, of a marihuana Compassion Club known as “Be Kind Medical Clinic” was operating out of a business store front at 46144 Yale Road. Police confirmed with Health Canada that no medicinal marihuana licences exist for the business owner or the business address. One man was arrested in the connection with the illegal club and is awaiting charges.
Investigators from the Chilliwack RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (“CRU”) were advised by Health Canada they do not licence compassion clubs as they are illegal. On June 22, 2011, after only two days of business, a warrant under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act was obtained and executed by the Chilliwack RCMP CRU at 8:00 pm.
Investigators located a marihuana hashish lab and marihuana oil extraction lab which was being used to produce marihuana oils. It appeared as though the marihuana oils were being used in marihuana related food products which included, chocolate, lollipops, and edible hashish. These products were individually packaged for re-sale. Approximately 4-5 pounds of dried marihuana bud was seized from the location and numerous pieces of evidence to suggest the marijuana was intended for sale.
The marihuana oil extraction lab posed a significant risk of fire. During the extraction, Isopropyl Alcohol is brought to a boil over a heat source which causes extremely flammable fumes to be released in the air. As a result of the Search Warrant, the City of Chilliwack removed the Occupancy Permit from the building and is in the process of revoking their business licence. The Abbotsford owner of the business listed the type of business as “Healthcare/Medicine” when he applied for his business licence with the City Of Chilliwack.
During the course of the investigation, the Police discovered the business was advertised on Craigslist under Therapeutic Services. The advertisement claimed that a Medical Marihuana clinic and compassion club was opening in Chilliwack on June 20th, 2011. It claimed that there would be health care professionals on site including medical doctors, a doctor of Chinese medicine, and a pharmacist. The ad offered assistance in obtaining a Health Canada Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) card. The ad also stated that the clinic housed a compassion club for members only to safely access medical marihuana and listed the name as “Be Kind Medical Clinic” located at 46144 Yale Road in Chilliwack. The bottom of the posting claimed that it was unlicenced. This posting has since been taken down.
“Ultimately, the business was being operated under the guise of a medicinal marihuana compassion club where marihuana, marihuana oils, and related products were being offered for sale,” said Cpl. Kurt Bosnell, of the Chilliwack RCMP CRU. “The business was not licenced by Health Canada to distribute or sell marihuana to the public and was found to be an illegal marihuana trafficking operation that was operating as a store front business.”
A 41 year old Abbotsford man was arrested and charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, Production of a Controlled Substance, and Trafficking a Controlled Substance are being forwarded to Crown Counsel. The man was later released on a Promise to Appear with a court date of October 18, 2011. The investigation is ongoing and it will later be determined if charges will be forwarded for the owner of the business.
“The RCMP will continue to fully enforce laws against the production, trafficking and possession of illicit drugs in Canada,” said Cpl. Hollingsworth. “The RCMP’s goal has always been to ensure safe homes and safe communities for Canadians and this business posed a great risk to our community. Our job is to continue to ensure the safety of the residents of our community.”
Released by
Cpl. Tammy Hollingsworth
Media Relations Officer
Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment
46326 Airport Road, Chilliwack BC V2P 1A5
Office: (604) 702-4017
Cell: (604) 819-5553
Email: UFVRD_MEDIA@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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