Sarnia's police chief says people who buy pot from illegal dispensaries are supporting organized crime.
Norm Hansen made the comment following another bust and the seizure of nearly $150,000 in drugs and cash.
He said the legalization of pot is taking too long, and Sarnia would benefit from a legitimate dispensary where the customer knows what they're buying.
"It will at least give people a legitimate place to purchase, right? I mean right now, as I understand, it's all bogged-down online and through the mail, where if there was a storefront in Sarnia, because Sarnia opted-in to retail cannabis sales, at least they would have a legitimate place or legal place that's regulated to go to."
Cst. John Sottosanti said city officers, with the help of the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team, executed a search warrant in the 1600 block of St. Clair Parkway at around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday.
He said a large quantity of cannabis-related items, like dried cannabis, honey oil, hashish, cannabis oil, vape pen refills, shatter and cannabis edibles were located in a trailer -- known as the Reefinery Dispensary.
The value of the drugs seized is estimated at $143,000, while $3,195 in currency was seized.
Cst. Sottosanti said a 59-year-old Sarnia man, charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, was released on a promise to appear.
Two other Sarnia men, aged 39 and 41, are also charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling and were being held for bail hearings.
The 39-year-old faces an additional charge of failing to comply with his recognizance.
Sarnia Police Chief Norm Hansen.
