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Feds and Local Police Raid Four San Francisco Dispensaries

Ann Harrison ontherecord.org

Drug Enforcement Agents remove marijuana plants from a dispensary Wednesday, June 22, 2005, in San Francisco. SF Mayor Gavin Newsom enacted a moratorium in March, preventing any new clubs from opening until the city devises a plan to regulate the city's 43 medical marijuana clubs that dispense marijuana to the sick and dying. The clubs raided today, authorities say, opened after the moratorium was passed. Associated Press

San Francisco, CA June 22, 2005 -- A team of DEA and IRS agents, together with local police, have raided at least four medical cannabis dispensaries in San Francisco today.

Outside one of the targeted dispensaries, the Alternative Relief Co-Op at 1945 Ocean Avenue, Casey McEnry, a public information officer with the DEA confirmed that local police were involved. “We have federal and local agencies participating in a law enforcement action at this location,” said Casey who said narcotics officers from the San Francisco Police Department and the Oakland Police Department were also participating.

As a crowd of onlookers and media gathered outside the Alternative Relief Co-Op, DEA officers dragged entire plants and large cuttings out of the building. IRS officers from the Department of the Treasury were also present. Federal officers removed a computer from a car parked in front of the dispensary and appeared to be bringing the machine inside the dispensary to download data.

Lt. Marty Halloran of the San Francisco Police Department was present in plainclothes. Witnesses say he put police tape around the entrance of the dispensary preventing media and onlookers from advancing further.

Another unmarked dispensary at 1939 Ocean Avenue two doors down from Alternative Relief Co-Op also appears to have been raided. A DEA agent is positioned in front of the dispensary and refused to answer questions. Both the dispensaries at 1939 and 1945 Ocean Avenue were named in a resolution passed by the San Francisco City Supervisors last week. The resolution urged the city to take action against the dispensaries that had allegedly opened after the moratorium against new dispensaries was passed by the city on April 1st.

Four blocks down Ocean Avenue at the Herbal Relief Center dispensary at 1545 Ocean Avenue, which has been open for at least four years, burlap bags containing plant cuttings could be seen heaped in the front office. Agents inside were combing through papers and other items in the front office. DEA officers were guarding the front of the building.

The Sunset Medicinal Resource Center dispensary at 445 Judah Avenue was also been raided. Smiling and relaxed agents with DEA and Secret Service jackets are clustered around the outside of the dispensary. Agents are removing items from the building in sealed plastic bags. Local resident Robyn Few stood outside the dispensary and said she was outraged. “I thought the city of San Francisco was a sanctuary city and didn’t cooperate with the DEA,” said Few.