Illegal Marijuana Dispensary Located in Adelanto Shopping Center

Staff Writer

Friday, June 17th, 2016

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ADELANTO – An illegal marijuana dispensary was shut down in the city of Adelanto on Thursday city officials said.

A couple of incidents led to the shutdown of the illegal facility. A confidential informant reported the illegal activities that were taking place at a cell phone accessory and repair business that was located in the Cactus Commercial Center (Weaver Plaza) in the 11900 block of Cactus Road.

Code Enforcement officers set up surveillance and through the footage collected, they obtain a search warrant. Officers planned to execute the search warrant the following week but on Thursday afternoon, the Adelanto Sheriff’s Department received a call reporting an audible alarm that was activated by attic access motion in the same center but a different suite.

A deputy arrived and although he did not find a burglary in progress, he did find a subject looking out the back door of the suite that Code Enforcement had been watching. The deputy was unaware of the Code Enforcement activity but when he made eye contact with the subject, the subject quickly shut the door and went inside. The deputy attempted to get the subject to open the door but there was no answer.

“Sensing that something was wrong, the deputy went to the front of the building, only to discover two male adults abruptly leaving in a vehicle,” City of Adelanto officials said. An area witness told police that the two Hispanic men, one “heavy set”, got into a small silver SUV and headed south on Highway 395.

Code Enforcement was called to the scene where along with the Adelanto Station deputies they forced entry into the location that was clearly confirmed to be a marijuana dispensary.

A business owner in the center said that the business was just opened days before it was shut down by city code enforcement officers.“It just goes to show that whether planned or luck, we’re going to do our part to stop unauthorized business in our city,” said Steve Peltier, Community Safety Manager which also oversees Code Enforcement.

It is unclear if any arrests have been made at this time. “I have not been informed that any arrests have taken place,” City of Adelanto Public Information Officer, Michael Stevens said. “I’m am pretty certain that there is an existing, ongoing investigation to determine who owned/leased the site where the dispensary was discovered, as well as whether or not the “legitimate” business (cell phone repair & accessories) was legally authorized to operate in the city.”

“That entire case was handled by the Code Enforcement division,” said the Adelanto Sheriff’s station spokeswoman Staci Parkes. “We only responded to stand by during their investigation.”