State, local authorities raid dispensary
Pot store manager, owner arrested on illegal-sales charge
SAN JOSE — A contingent of local and state law enforcement raided a San Jose marijuana dispensary Thursday morning and arrested its owner and manager, based on allegations of illegal marijuana sales and compensation fraud, authorities said.
San Jose police and investigators from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office led the operation at San Jose Organics, on Tully Road east of Monterey Road, aided by agents from the state Board of Equalization and the Em- ployment Development Department.
Deputy district attorney Edward Liang said the search of the club stemmed from an investigation into illicit marijuana trafficking and possible tax and work- ers’ compensation fraud. He declined to provide additional details about the scope of, or what spurred the probe, saying only that it involved violations including operating in an unlawful location and outside of prescribed regulations.
Authorities arrested on site the business’s manager, Brian Wong, a San Francisco resident. The owner, Ben Lew, was arrested in San Francisco. Both were booked on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale, selling marijuana and maintaining a place to unlawfully sell marijuana, Liang said.
Agents carried boxes of evidence out of the storefront shop. Liang said the investigation continues and that additional charges could be considered.