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Tehama County narcotic task force agents raided a medical marijuana dispensary operated by a Corning City Council candidate and two of his residential properties at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Search warrants were served at Tehama Herbal Collective, 1317 Solano St., and at Ken Prather's home on the 700 block of Walnut Street, the Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement task force reported.
A third warrant was served at a house on the 17000 block of Elder Creek Circle, a property TIDE officials said was owned by Prather in Rancho Tehama.
Department of Justice Special Supervisor Eric Maher, task force commander, said agents seized computers, financial documents, processed marijuana and plants, and $12,408 in cash from the dispensary.
He said agents seized financial documents, computers and $1,020 in cash from the Walnut Street address, and 100 marijuana plants at the Rancho Tehama property.
An investigation into the medical marijuana dispensary began about one year ago when an individual associated with the task force, but who does not have a medical marijuana recommendation, was reportedly able to purchase two starter marijuana plants out the back door of the business on two occasions, said Corning police Chief Tony Cardenas said.
As the investigation ensued, the task force used two undercover police officers, who reportedly were able to purchase from the dispensary on six occasions in a manner not consistent with California law, according to a statement released by a task force.
Maher said once the investigation is completed a report will be submitted to the Tehama County District Attorney's Office for review and that office will determine if any charges will be filed or arrest warrants issued.
"This is part of an ongoing investigation and we have been involved in since the latter part of 2009. I am responsible by my position in law enforcement to see that people abide by the law for the good of all," Cardenas said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Prather had not returned phone calls or e-mails seeking comment on the investigation.
As this drug task force investigation continues, Prather, his wife Kathy Prather, and their daughter Meagan Prather, are scheduled to appear for trial in Tehama County Superior Court on Sept. 15, concerning more than 200 city issued citations they have received everyday since Jan. 13.
The citations state the Prathers are in violation of city zoning codes and illegally operating a medical marijuana collective in that zoning district.
According to city officials, fines up to $250 a day may be assessed to the collective operators should they be found guilty. That could amount to approximately $52,500.
The Prathers' attorney, William Panzer, asked the court to dismiss the case on the claim the citations are unconstitutional.
"The court is persuaded that the city is correct in its interpretation of zoning law. The constitutionality of land use planning is upheld," Tehama County Superior Court Judge Richard Scheuler ruled on May 25.
Tuesday's raids were carried out by the state Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Glenn Interagency Narcotics Task Force, Corning Police, Tehama County District Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Department, and Red Bluff Police Department.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Homepage : Corning Observer
Author: Julie R. Johnson/Tri-County Newspapers
Contact: Contact Us : Corning Observer
Copyright: 2010 Freedom Communications
Website:Narcotics agents search medical pot dispensary | tehama, force, task - Local News - Corning Observer
Search warrants were served at Tehama Herbal Collective, 1317 Solano St., and at Ken Prather's home on the 700 block of Walnut Street, the Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement task force reported.
A third warrant was served at a house on the 17000 block of Elder Creek Circle, a property TIDE officials said was owned by Prather in Rancho Tehama.
Department of Justice Special Supervisor Eric Maher, task force commander, said agents seized computers, financial documents, processed marijuana and plants, and $12,408 in cash from the dispensary.
He said agents seized financial documents, computers and $1,020 in cash from the Walnut Street address, and 100 marijuana plants at the Rancho Tehama property.
An investigation into the medical marijuana dispensary began about one year ago when an individual associated with the task force, but who does not have a medical marijuana recommendation, was reportedly able to purchase two starter marijuana plants out the back door of the business on two occasions, said Corning police Chief Tony Cardenas said.
As the investigation ensued, the task force used two undercover police officers, who reportedly were able to purchase from the dispensary on six occasions in a manner not consistent with California law, according to a statement released by a task force.
Maher said once the investigation is completed a report will be submitted to the Tehama County District Attorney's Office for review and that office will determine if any charges will be filed or arrest warrants issued.
"This is part of an ongoing investigation and we have been involved in since the latter part of 2009. I am responsible by my position in law enforcement to see that people abide by the law for the good of all," Cardenas said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Prather had not returned phone calls or e-mails seeking comment on the investigation.
As this drug task force investigation continues, Prather, his wife Kathy Prather, and their daughter Meagan Prather, are scheduled to appear for trial in Tehama County Superior Court on Sept. 15, concerning more than 200 city issued citations they have received everyday since Jan. 13.
The citations state the Prathers are in violation of city zoning codes and illegally operating a medical marijuana collective in that zoning district.
According to city officials, fines up to $250 a day may be assessed to the collective operators should they be found guilty. That could amount to approximately $52,500.
The Prathers' attorney, William Panzer, asked the court to dismiss the case on the claim the citations are unconstitutional.
"The court is persuaded that the city is correct in its interpretation of zoning law. The constitutionality of land use planning is upheld," Tehama County Superior Court Judge Richard Scheuler ruled on May 25.
Tuesday's raids were carried out by the state Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Glenn Interagency Narcotics Task Force, Corning Police, Tehama County District Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Department, and Red Bluff Police Department.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Homepage : Corning Observer
Author: Julie R. Johnson/Tri-County Newspapers
Contact: Contact Us : Corning Observer
Copyright: 2010 Freedom Communications
Website:Narcotics agents search medical pot dispensary | tehama, force, task - Local News - Corning Observer
