Warrants Served, Arrests Made at Two Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and a Residence NR12281kr

Los Angeles:   Detectives from Topanga Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail (NED) served search warrants at two medical marijuana dispensaries and a private residence in the division, resulting in three arrests and a cache of narcotics, money, other evidence of illegal marijuana sales.

On Tuesday, June 19, 2012, around 4:20 p.m., Topanga Area NED detectives converged on two commercial marijuana dispensaries, one in the 22000 block of Ventura Boulevard, and the other in the 23000 block of Ventura Boulevard, as well as a single family residence in the 5700 block of Wilhelmina Avenue, all owned by the same family.

The warrants were obtained after a nearly year-long investigation into the illegal sales of marijuana and hashish from the two dispensaries on Ventura Boulevard. Three Los Angeles residents, 25-year-old Mia Shomer, 37-year-old Fahar Kinhi, and 36-year-old Alexander Blinderman, were arrested for Possession for Sales of Marijuana and booked at Valley Jail Section. Each are being held on $20,000 bail. Additionally, investigators will be seeking arrest warrants through the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for two additional suspects who were not present when the search warrants were served.

Investigators recovered approximately $40,000 in cash from a hidden floor safe at the residence. At the two dispensaries, investigators recovered approximately $2,000 in cash and approximately 30 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $90,000. Also recovered from the dispensary in the 23000 block of Ventura Boulevard was over 100 individual vials of hashish packaged for sale and over 225 marijuana plants.

Four large commercial safes were located at the dispensaries. Investigators from the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division Safe Detail opened the safes and found large quantities of marijuana and cash.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Topanga Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail Detectives, Detective Carlos Figueira at 818-756-4850. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.