DEA raids pot dispensary in SF over alleged sales tax improprieties
Thursday, March 26th, 2009 at 9:43 am | By: Radical Russ
The dispensary had been operating with a temporary permit issued by the Department of Public Health.
“Based on our investigation, we believe there are not only violations of federal law, but state law as well,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Anthony Williams said in a prepared statement.
Williams, who runs the San Francisco field office that covers a territory stretching from Bakersfield to Redding, would not specify the alleged violations. The information was under court seal.
“As of now, we are prohibited from releasing further details of the case. Items of evidentiary value were seized and no arrests have been made,” Williams said.
A source in San Francisco city government who was informed about the raid said the DEA’s action appeared to be prompted by alleged financial improprieties related to the payment of sales taxes. DEA Special Agent Casey McEnry, spokeswoman for the local office, would not comment on that information.
So now the federal Drug Enforcement Administration is in charge of enforcing California State Sales Tax laws? I thought that was the job of the California Board of Equalization? In any other business accused of sales tax improprieties, the board would conduct an audit and then press state charges if any applied. The board doesn’t send armed stormtroopers to shut down the business and seize all its assets until after a conviction on charges proven in a state court!
The Obama Administration must now set a clear policy that if the DEA is to be raiding medical marijuana dispensaries in violation of both state and federal law, that the state must be the one to decide if the state laws are being obeyed. We cannot have federal agencies in charge of enforcing state laws. Call President Obama at 202-456-1111. Call your congressman at 202-224-3121. These raids must end!
Dude I remember you posting that story, and again all I can say is WOW!!! I just cant understand that and bless you for not running and hiding!
What do you mean “Its a ongoing case…and far from over”?
I contacted my Congressman, Michael Burgess, and his office wasn’t interested in relaying any information to him in regards to this issue because he’s a Texas Representative, not a California representative.
I explained this is a state’s right issue and that any reputable congressman would be interested in pursuing an issue with states rights, but they assured me that he isn’t.
That settles it, he’s not a reputable congressman :) (this is the same group of folks that called the police on me for faxing them a letter asking for their support with Barney Frank’s bill).
What? They called the police on you for asking them to support a bill? Oh god, I have GOT to hear the full story on that one. If it’s as bad as it sounds then you’re a much more patient man than me. I would have dismissed them s being disreputable the moment they pulled that crap.
It’s been brought up here before; happened last August (08). I had faxed, mailed, and then called my Congressman’s office in regards to Barney Franks’ bill at about 11am (ct). At 2pm (ct), 3 Flower Mound (suburb near Dallas) police officers showed up at my door and informed me not to contact my congressman again.
Mind you, I’m a retired (21 year) vet who “just” retired last year. I wear a suit to the office, have an executive level job, live in a beautiful upper class suburb, and live a normal (norml) kind of life. I’ve never been arrested, and still hold a top secret security clearance with the federal government (SSBI/SCI for those who are in-the-know).
This explanation just goes to show you that it can happen to ANYONE.
Understand, I was a Special Warfare operator and have little fear of anything. But, I’m also intelligent enough to know when I’ve said “enough” (if you know what I mean). With that in mind; while the cops were in front of my door, I placed my retired military Identification Card on the glass (I refused to open my door or even be very nice to them), and called them all, “Traitors to their community, their state, and their country”. They left after I told the Sergeant that I would “pray that he put a bullet in his head as soon as he came to the realization that he was a traitor.”
I so pissed off at that moment in time, that I had actually really pissed them off too — almost enough for them to try and breach my front door. They had even called in for a breach (later found out through a tip), but were denied the breach due to the illegitimate visit to begin with.
I’ve requested manpower, expenditure and expense reports, everything the FOIA is suppose to allow; but the city “refuses” to acknowledge the request, and has refused to comply with the sopena.
It’s an ongoing case of Congressional and Police Misconduct, and it’s far from over. In the meantime, I’ve had a hell of a time living in this neighborhood. I just don’t feel safe at home with the cops running around all nilly willy doing whatever they want.
WOW what a story!
should have read: “DEA enforcing state laws is just like the national guard, which is a state entity, enforcing ‘Federal’ laws. “
DEA enforcing state laws is just like the national guard, which is a state entity, enforcing national laws.
Its a flood dude and we need to keep em flooded!!!
I’m having some difficulty getting through to that number for the Whitehouse…either there is a flood of enraged callers or there has been some sort of technical problem with the lines. Or else they’ve been deliberately turned off.
I’m actually hoping it’s a flood of enraged callers though. I think if we make a really big stink over this it will force the president to confront the issue head on.