Two charged after police raid pair of marijuana dispensaries

A 28-year-old man is facing drug trafficking charges after police raided his east-end Hamilton medical marijuana dispensary Tuesday.

Officers from Hamilton police’s vice and drugs unit executed a search warrant at MMJ Canada — located at 146 Ottawa St. N. — around 1 p.m. and said they found about $100,000 worth of marijuana and marijuana products, including edibles.

“It was determined that the operator of this dispensary was committing the criminal acts of possession for the purpose of trafficking marijuana and THC because they were selling or giving away marijuana or marijuana derivatives from their location,” police said in a release.

Police have charged the 28-year-old business owner, who is from Quebec but lives in Hamilton, with possession of marijuana, THC and cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking and proceeds of crime under $5,000.

The man was released on a promise to appear in court to answer to the charges, police said.

On the same day, Halton police raided Burlington dispensary Budtanica Pain Relief Group at 5125 Harvester Rd., Unit 1.

Officers from the street crime unit executed a search warrant. Police said they seized six pounds of marijuana, about $27,000 worth of edibles and $2,800 in cash. Altogether, $67,000 worth of drugs was confiscated, police said.

“As a result of the investigation, police were able to determine that the majority of individuals attending this dispensary to purchase marijuana did not have medical marijuana licences,” Halton police said in a news release.

Police have charged a 24-year-old Hamilton man with possession of marijuana and cannabis resin for the purpose of tracking.

He was released on a promise to appear in Milton court on March 14.