Edmonton man charged for operating illegal cannabis store in west end

An Edmonton man is facing four charges for illegal cannabis sales from a non-licensed retail store.

Police seized $12,000 worth of illegal cannabis products during a search of the store Wednesday in the area of 150 Street and 118 Avenue.

Investigators seized seeds, oils, pills and creams during the search warrant after police obtained information in late 2018 leading them to investigate the business, a Friday morning news release said.

“Part of our focus with the legalization of cannabis is to ensure that it is being distributed legally,” police cannabis liaison Cst. Dexx Williams said in the release. “A regulated market is a safer market, and we are committed to following up on the many tips we receive regarding illegal practices. Individuals who are illegally selling products containing cannabis should be aware that they may face significant penalties.”

Nizarali Lakhani, 65, faces two counts of unauthorized sale of cannabis, unauthorized possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling.

AGLC investigation

The province seized $2.5 million of contraband shisha, tobacco and cigarettes and three people were arrested in a separate investigation released Friday morning.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) and Alberta Sheriffs found the illegal products, weighing about 3,039 kilograms, in a central Edmonton storage locker facility. The total potential lost tax revenue is estimated to be more than $972,000, the province said in a news release.

Imad Assi, Ibrahim Al-Sabbag and Mahmud Al-Sabbag have been charged with trafficking in contraband tobacco and are scheduled to appear in provincial court April 17.

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