Firearms, cannabis products and $100,000 worth of psilocybin products were among the items seized from an unlicensed marijuana shop in Vancouver this week.
A 35-year-old man was arrested in connection with the seizure, but was released pending further investigation, Vancouver police say.
The B.C. Community Safety Unit (CSU) discovered the products during a Wednesday, June 9 inspection of the pot shop, located near Clark Drive and William Street.
Vancouver police officers from the department's Organized Crime Section assisted in Wednesday's inspection. After discovering two handguns during the inspection, VPD investigators obtained a search warrant to seize the weapons. Vancouver police are continuing their investigation.
“Knowing these illegal weapons are in shops around the city is definitely concerning and it poses a risk to the public,” said VPD Const. Tania Visintin in a release.
The CSU also seized a significant volume of cannabis oils, cannabis topicals and cannabis edibles. The retail value of the cannabis products seized is estimated to fall between $50,000 and $60,000, according to police.
In addition to the cannabis, investigators also located more than 11 kilograms (approximately 25 pounds) of dried Psilocybin, commonly called mushroom. They also seized approximately 35 kilograms (75 pounds) of Psilocybin- infused edible products and hundreds of individual Psilocybin powder packets mixed with nutrition supplements. Police say the estimated retail value of these products is $100,000
Operating under the Policing and Security Branch of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the CSU is tasked with enforcing the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act. It has the authority to enter premises and seize product where cannabis is being sold without a provincial retail store license.
