HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — You can find marijuana dispensaries operating openly in almost every community.
A search warrant for a chain of more than a dozen stores in the Houston area reveals what police obtained during the sting operation.
Pre-rolls and cannabis in colorful packaging. Records say it was sold as legal marijuana, but laboratory tests listed in the warrant indicate otherwise.
The owners have been charged with money laundering for selling illegal products at THC clubs, but lawyers say the products are legal due to a loophole.
“This issue is on everyone's radar because it's not a Texas issue. It's a national issue,” said cannabis attorney Andrea Steele.
Harris County is gaining a growing audience for law enforcement's unprecedented move against major players in Texas' cannabis industry.
On September 25th, after a months-long takeover, all 18 THC Club locations were raided. According to an 84-page search warrant obtained by ABC13, the “flower” the undercover agent purchased from the store contained THC levels above the legal limit.
RELATED: Evidence of illegal marijuana and money laundering found at Houston-based dispensary THC Club, documents say
The warrant also charges the store with violating packaging requirements.
The investigation into the THC club led to money laundering charges as the DA's office claimed they were profiting from something illegal.
Prosecutors said the business laundered at least $4.5 million over four years.
The search warrant states that a male employee at one of THC Club's locations told undercover investigators that the company's marijuana is deep-frozen, which keeps the THC levels within legal requirements. listed.
A lawyer for the company said in a statement to ABC13:
“Our client was running a 100% legal business. If the District Attorney's Office and Fourth Precinct have a problem with the way the law is written, they should give law-abiding businessmen a reason to think what they think. We need to take it to Congress instead of filing charges against them.'' That's what the law should be. ”
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