WARRANT SERVED ON MARIJUANA DISPENSARY
Shortly after 1:00 PM on July 2nd, 2014, officers from the City of Hemet R.O.C.S. Team served an inspection warrant at a suspected medical marijuana dispensary in the 200 block of N. State Street.
The R.O.C.S. Team, an acronym for “Restoring Our Community Strategy” is a multi-disciplinary team comprised of City of Hemet employees from different department’s focused on a variety of issues which affect the quality of life of Hemet’s residents. The warrant is the result of a lengthy investigation by city code enforcement officers and city building inspectors.
Community Development Director Deanna Elliano said, “The City will continue to diligently enforce our municipal code prohibition against medical marijuana dispensaries and take appropriate action as soon as these establishments come to our attention. The R.O.C.S. Team is well versed in addressing these issues and works in concert with the City Attorney’s office to effectively achieve compliance with the City’s regulations.”
The warrant was obtained by the City Attorney’s office, in-part to ensure the safety of the people who occupy offices in the same business complex. Generally, those involved in the business of dispensing marijuana often make changes to the electrical and ventilation systems of the building they occupy. Those changes are not always up to code and present a real danger to the public. City inspectors documented potentially unsafe conditions, and found several municipal code violations at this dispensary. The city attorney will now request the court grant a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction in an effort to close the illegal business. Council Member Robert Youssef said, “We have been very successful in closing down illegal dispensaries in Hemet, it can be a frustrating process, but the city council is dedicated to continue with those efforts.”
Two men were arrested on felony charges during to the inspection warrant. The men were employees of the facility, and both were arrested for possession of methamphetamine.
Arrestees:
1. Jose Ruiz - 27 years old, Moreno Valley resident, $5000 bail
2. Emilio Joya - 19 years old, Hemet resident, $5000 bail