Police seize guns, $1M in products at illegal pot shop

Chula Vista police on Thursday carried out its 12th raid in recent weeks at a newly reopened illegal marijuana dispensary, where they confiscated more than $1 million worth of products, $5,000 in cash and three guns, a lieutenant said.

Two of the weapons seized are fireknown as less-lethal launchers. Police also arrested three employees at the dispensary, on Third Avenue near J Street.

The business, like other dispensaries across the city, had drawn complaints from neighbors, police Lt. Dan Peak said.

Thursday’s raid was the 12th since April 21, he said.

“Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve really stepped up enforcement operations just based on the community concern (over unlicensed dispensaries),” he said.

Chula Vista legalized pot shops in 2018 but has not yet issued any cannabis business permits.

The enforcement in recent weeks shut down the dispensaries, but four of the shops later reopened, including the dispensary where police served a search warrant Thursday morning, Peak said.

“It can be frustrating,” he told Onscene TV. “I know the community is definitely frustrated with these illegal marijuana dispensaries.”

Police arrested the three employees on suspicion of obstructing officers. One of the employees was also arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a gun that is registered to someone else. The employees were cited, then released.

During other raids in recent weeks, police seized more than $1 million in products at a dispensary on Broadway near Davidson Street on April 23. A few blocks south at a dispensary on Broadway near D Street on April 27, they arrested four employees and seized $500,000 worth of products.