Raids at five medical marijuana education centers netted local law enforcement 14 pounds of high-grade hydroponically grown pot and 25 pounds of marijuana-medicated hard candy, and resulted in the arrests of 10 people, a Tucson police official said.
Raids were conducted at all five Shop 420 locations - four in Tucson, one in Casa Grande - Wednesday night by Arizona's Counter Narcotics Alliance, a multijurisdictional drug task force consisting of 18 law enforcement and prosecution agencies. The drugs were valued at $50,000.
Articles of incorporation submitted to the Arizona Corporation Commission in December 2010, for Shop420.org LLC state it provides "consulting and education solutions." It is a company in "good standing" according to the commission website. The statutory agent - or representative for the company - listed on the commission website is Erik R. Salazar.
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Salazar was one of the 10 arrested. The others are: Renee Valenzuela, 29; Francisco Valenzuela, 32; Primo Camou, 27; John Robles, 24; Richard Leon, 33; Cruz Bradford, 30; Roberto Tapia, 47; Dale Jones, 39; and Jorge Valenzuela, 26.
All 10 suspects are facing charges of conspiracy to unlawfully possess marijuana for sale, unlawful possession of marijuana for sale, money laundering and unlawful possession of narcotic paraphernalia. One suspect is facing a prohibited possessor charge because he was armed with a handgun when arrested.
Residents of one midtown neighborhood were the impetus for the monthlong investigation.
"About a month ago the neighbors alerted us and alerted the police that they were seeing a lot of increased foot traffic," said Ann Charles, chief of staff for Tucson Councilman Steve Kozachik. "Based on that, the police were able to investigate. It's a great example of neighbors keeping an eye on things and noticing something that's abnormal," she said.
The Tucson shops were at:
• 408 E. Seventh St., near Tucson High Magnet School.
• 5151 S. 12th Ave., between West Irvington and West Drexel.
• 8250 E. Broadway, near South Sarnoff Drive.
• 3408 E. Grant Road, between North Dodge Boulevard and North Country Club Road.
Reporter Jamar Younger contributed. Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191.
