Dozens of pounds of marijuana and thousands of dollars in cash were seized by San Diego police officers during raids at two unlicensed marijuana dispensaries Wednesday.

The operations were part of an ongoing effort to crack down on unlicensed pot shops in the city. The two locations were not otherwise connected.

Officers first raided The Healing Center on Arjons Drive in Mira Mesa about 9 a.m., San Diego police Lt. Matt Novak said. They seized about 30 pounds of marijuana in addition to edibles and concentrate. They also confiscated $37,000 in cash and business records.

Four employees were arrested and given citations for selling marijuana and operating an illegal business.


Related: San Diego OKs 16th marijuana dispensary, first in nearly a year


Hours later, officers arrived at Kush Factory on Top Gun Street in Sorrento Valley, according to Novak. The business was closed for renovations, but potential customers were told they could call for delivery service.

A small amount of marijuana, edibles and concentrates were seized. No employees were at the location, but investigators plan to use paperwork found during the raid to identify the owner and file charges in connection with operating an illegal business, the lieutenant said.

The investigation into each location continues, and others may be arrested.

Since March 2016, more than 60 unlicensed marijuana dispensaries have been shut down, police said. Dozens of property owners and shop operators have been fined, charged, and prosecuted in connection with the businesses.

© 2017 San Diego Union Tribune, www.sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC


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