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Law enforcement team busts Tacoma medical marijuana dispensary

South Sound law enforcement officers served three warrants this morning in connection with an investigation in a Tacoma-based medical marijuana dispensary.

The warrants were served at two Tacoma addresses (a home and an office building) and an Olalla home this morning, the West End Narcotics Enforcement Team reported.

Law enforcement served the warrants as part of an investigation into North End Club 420, a Tacoma exchange for medical marijuana patients. The club is one of three new exchanges in the city, The News Tribune reported in February.

Investigators suspect the founders of the clubs and others "are involved with the illegal manufacture and distribution of marijuana for the purpose of financial gain," a press release stated.

"Although the club appears to purport that they accept 'donations' for providing marijuana to people with valid medical marijuana authorizations, the investigation has led detectives to believe that the group's primary incentive is financial greed," the press release stated.

During the investigation, a police operative made several controlled purchases of marijuana from club members. The operative did not have a doctor's authorization for medical marijuana, law enforcement reports.

Investigators said the buys were conducted in "a manner that clearly indicates the organization is selling marijuana to multiple persons at a price which is even higher than it would cost to purchase on the street," the press release stated.

"The Club appears to be making thousands of dollars in unreported tax-free income from selling drugs to persons who may not qualify and profiting from taking advantage of those who have a legitimate and authorized medical need to use marijuana," the press release states.

Washington's medical marijuana law, which voters approved by initiative in 1998, allows for people with certain "debilitating or terminal illnesses" to have a limited amount of marijuana for medical purposes. The law, however, left unclear how the patients were supposed to obtain it. Buying and selling marijuana remained illegal.

It was not immediately clear whether any arrests were made as a result of this morning's police actions. In Tacoma, warrants were served at a home in the 3100 block of South Seventh Street and an office building on Oregon Avenue.

We'll update this post as more information becomes available.

UPDATE: The investigation into North End Club 420 began in January when a confidential informant came forward with information, Pierce County sheriff's detective Lynelle Anderson said.

"The informant said this is where they were able to buy from," she said of the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team. "They've been working it pretty hot and heavy since that time."

The team is comprised of investigators from Poulsbo police, Bremerton police, Kitsap County sheriff's, Port Orchard police, Shelton police, Mason County sheriff's and Pierce County sheriff's departments as well as the Washington State Patrol and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The team is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and its main area of responsibility is Kitsap and Mason counties.