Hazel Park police are currently seeking assistance from the public to identify approximately six individuals implicated in the break-in of a cannabis retail outlet. In a daring early morning burglary, thieves utilized a stolen SUV to breach the Jars Cannabis store located at 20731 Dequindre, adjacent to Eight Mile Road.
According to Hazel Park Police Chief Brian Buchholz, the incident was reported at around 4:27 a.m. on Friday, when a nearby business owner, alerted by a loud crash, promptly notified the authorities. The culprits employed a gold-colored Chevrolet Suburban, reported stolen, to forcefully enter the premises, thus creating a significant opening at the back of the store.
The police have managed to secure surveillance footage which captures the essence of the burglary. As of Monday, the exact extent of the stolen goods and their value remains undetermined, pending a comprehensive inventory audit by the business.
Initial investigations suggest that no cash was taken during the break-in. The suspects, described by Chief Buchholz, included six individuals dressed in dark attire, one of whom acted as a lookout while the rest were observed removing items using large trash bags.
Following the burglary, the group fled the scene in a dark blue Chrysler 300, leaving the stolen Suburban behind. The vehicle was later confirmed to have been stolen from Eastpointe, Macomb County. Identifying the suspects poses a significant challenge, with the police suspecting the involvement of individuals experienced in similar crimes. Efforts are underway to collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions in hopes of identifying the perpetrators.
The Hazel Park Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the burglary or potential suspects to come forward and contact them at 248-542-6161.
Jars Cannabis, the victim of the burglary, operates 17 outlets across Michigan, in addition to 18 others in Arizona and Colorado. The Hazel Park location is one of the city's 10 cannabis businesses, the highest number in Oakland County. Despite this incident, local officials maintain that cannabis businesses do not significantly impact crime rates compared to other establishments like bars or restaurants.
In Pennfield Township, Michigan, a response to an animal welfare complaint unveiled an extensive illicit cannabis cultivation operation. The incident, occurring in Calhoun County, began when deputies were summoned to a residence on the 300 block of Cooper Street. Upon arrival, they discovered the carcasses of four goats at the rear of the premises, prompting further investigation.
Authorities subsequently secured a search warrant for the property to probe for additional animal welfare concerns. The search, conducted on the following day, led to the discovery of a significant cannabis grow operation housed within one of the property's buildings. Law enforcement officials reported the confiscation of over 140 cannabis plants and various cultivation equipment from the site.
As of now, there has been no announcement regarding arrests linked to the operation. The investigation into both the animal welfare complaint and the illegal cannabis grow continues, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in regulating cannabis cultivation and ensuring animal welfare.
The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) has issued an alert to Michigan's licensed cannabis businesses regarding a recent scam targeting the industry. A licensed business reported being contacted by someone falsely claiming to be a CRA representative. This individual demanded immediate payment of licensing fees with the threat of license revocation.
The CRA emphasizes that official communications will only be sent through the Accela platform or from a Michigan.gov email address. They also clarified that the agency does not make phone calls to collect fee payments and does not accept alternative payment methods, such as Bitcoin.
Businesses are advised to instruct their staff to confirm the legitimacy of any communications purportedly from the CRA with a manager or owner before proceeding with any payments. Additionally, the CRA highlights the requirement for licensees and applicants to report to both the CRA and local law enforcement within 24 hours upon becoming aware of any theft, loss of product, or criminal activity at their facilities.
The CRA urges those who encounter or suspect fraudulent activities related to these incidents to report them through the agency's online reporting form and to contact local law enforcement. For further inquiries or concerns, the CRA's Field Operations Section can be reached at [email protected].
In the state of Michigan, where the cultivation and use of cannabis have been legalized, a new challenge has emerged that has caught the attention of law enforcement agencies, particularly in Mecosta County. This challenge revolves around the establishment of illegal cannabis operations by individuals, notably from the Cuban community, who are engaging in black-market cultivation. These illicit activities have not only led to concerns about the potential for violence and crime but have also highlighted issues of human trafficking and exploitation within the industry.
The legalization of cannabis was intended to regulate and control the production, distribution, and consumption of the plant, ensuring safety and legal compliance. However, the emergence of black-market operations has underscored the complexities and unintended consequences of cannabis legalization. The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office has raised alarms over the influx of individuals involved in these illegal endeavors, pointing to a growing problem that threatens the safety and integrity of the local community.
A cannabis-focused laboratory and consulting company has filed a lawsuit against a Michigan-based clinic, alleging the clinic has failed to pay over $100,000 in fees for services rendered. The legal action, initiated in a Colorado federal court, centers on a contract between North Star Scientific Solutions LLC, the plaintiff, and Michigan Health Clinics PC, the defendant.
According to the filed complaint, Michigan Health Clinics engaged North Star Scientific Solutions to assist in creating a comprehensive project plan aimed at securing a cannabis testing license from the state of Michigan. The clinic was successful in obtaining this license in July. However, it is reported that it ceased payments to North Star several months prior, neglecting its financial obligations under the agreement signed in June 2021 and its subsequent amendments.
As of the lawsuit's filing, North Star claims the clinic owes a total of $101,441.22, which includes the principal amount for services provided and a 5% late fee, as stipulated in their contract. The consulting firm asserts that despite fulfilling its part of the agreement, leading to the clinic acquiring its cannabis testing license, it has not received compensation for its work.
The dispute reportedly began to escalate toward the end of 2022 when the clinic's payments became sporadic, culminating in a final payment of $50,000 in February 2023. This payment was intended to settle months of overdue fees. Despite assurances from the clinic that payments would stabilize once the license was secured, North Star alleges that no further payments were made.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, North Star engaged in communication with David Stockman, identified as an agent for the clinic, in October. The firm expressed its dissatisfaction with the clinic's failure to meet its financial commitments, including a specific instance where the clinic did not pay an agreed-upon sum of $25,000. Despite these efforts and a demand letter sent by North Star's legal representation, the Vethan Law Firm, in December, claiming $97,000 was owed, the clinic has not made any payments or responded to the demands.
As of now, the clinic has not provided a response to inquiries regarding the lawsuit. The legal representation for Michigan Health Clinics in this matter has not been disclosed. North Star is represented by Charles M.R. Vethan of the Vethan Law Firm in this ongoing legal dispute, officially titled North Star Scientific Solutions LLC v. Michigan Health Clinics PC, case number 1:24-cv-00541, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
Three individuals, two from Michigan and one from Minnesota, are currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail in Alabama following a high-speed police chase that concluded on Wednesday afternoon. The incident began when an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) trooper initiated a traffic stop on a Cadillac Escalade for exceeding the speed limit on Alabama Highway 24 near Franklin County. The driver, identified as John Borelli, a 29-year-old resident of Chesterfield, Michigan, chose to flee the scene, prompting a pursuit.
The chase came to an end in Lawrence County with the collaborative efforts of the Moulton Police Department and the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office. A subsequent search of Borelli's vehicle revealed a significant haul of illegal substances and weapons, including $50,000 in cash, 12.5 pounds of cannabis, 121 doses of Liquid THC, three handguns, and a rifle. It is believed that these cannabis products were being transported from Michigan to Alabama for sale.
Borelli faces a slew of charges, including drug trafficking, eluding law enforcement, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, receiving stolen property, reckless driving, and speeding. He is currently detained with a bond set at $1,518,000.
The passengers in the vehicle, Darius Braden, a 28-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, and Cor'tae Davidson, a 20-year-old from Rochester, Minnesota, were also arrested. Both have been charged with drug trafficking; Braden's bond is set at $1.5 million, while Davidson's is significantly lower at $20,000.
This incident underscores the ongoing issues of drug trafficking and the interstate transportation of illegal substances, highlighting the routes used by individuals attempting to distribute cannabis products across state lines.
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