Robson Square marijuana vendors stand firm in face of VPD crackdown
Posted January 23, 2018 4:22 pm.
Last Updated January 23, 2018 4:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Some Robson Square marijuana vendors are standing firm, setting up their tents despite a police crackdown and weekend raid on their activities.
The VPD has launched a project to shut down all illegal shops at the downtown site, and promised more raids to come.
Deputy Chief Constable Howard Chow says police have been watching Robson Square for months, and noticed an uptick in thefts, assaults, harder drugs and underage buying and selling. Warnings and fines have been issued.
“We wouldn’t discuss what’s going on in terms of some of our strategies but I can say this is going to be ongoing. There will be other steps, other measures taking place. Our intent is to curb and put a stop to the illegal trafficking in that area.”
He says over the past two days Vancouver police have arrested four people from the area near the Vancouver Art Gallery, and they plan to arrest a fifth. 11 charges have been recommended. One man has been charged with trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Chow says investigations have included undercover officers.
“The message for any of the traffickers is that your next sale may be to a police officer.”
But vendors set up shop again within hours of the VPD’s press conference on the issue.
Vendor and Cannabis Substitution Project director Neil Magnuson says he had to return to the site to provide people with an alternative to the opioids killing hundreds across British Columbia.
“We’re here because there are people that are jonesing for their drugs, and they can come here and we can help them. And it feels so good to help people, you can’t stop doing that.”
He disputes the police claims about harder drugs and crime at the site.
“We’re not violent at all, there’s no hard drugs here. If there was any sign of anybody selling anything other than cannabis or edibles or giving away anything other than that, we would be all over that because that would certainly harm our ability to be here. We don’t represent that. We’re trying to replace the use of those things, not provide it to people.”
So far, police have seized dried marijuana, more than $4,000 in cash, edible marijuana products, drug paraphernalia and tents from the area.
