Charges have been filed against three owners of marijuana-related businesses in Alaska.
Multiple drug-related charges are listed against Charlo Greene, whose legal name is Charlene Egbe, in online court records. Those charges include four counts of felony controlled substance misconduct. Prior to the charges being filed Friday, the Anchorage Police Department served two search warrants at Greene’s business, the Alaska Cannabis Club.
In response to last month’s raid at the Alaska Cannabis Club, APD spokesperson Renee Oistad said the department was conducting investigations into several drug distribution centers.
While it is legal to consume marijuana in Alaska, the sale of marijuana is still technically illegal.
“Licenses for the lawful operation of ‘marijuana establishments’ are not yet available,” note the court documents. “Those who currently sell marijuana remain criminally liable…”
Between March 4 and Aug. 5, detectives made six undercover purchases from the Alaska Cannabis Club, court documents say. APD seized more than $20,000 worth of marijuana from Greene’s business, adding that the evidence seized was consistent with activity that she was maintaining an illegal marijuana distribution business.
Also charged Friday was Rocky Burns, owner of Discreet Deliveries, which services the Mat-Su area, according to its website. Court records show Burns faces multiple drug-related charges for controlled substance misconduct, seven of which are felonies.
APD launched a criminal investigation into Burns’ business after learning in January that Discreet Deliveries was advertising via social media and other online outlets as a marijuana delivery service. Court documents show undercover officers with APD made at least seven purchases from Discreet Deliveries from January to August.
On Aug. 7, when APD executed multiple search warrants at Discreet Deliveries’ business location, they found 31 pounds of marijuana, approximately $5,000 in cash and boxes of business records and invoices.
“Officers found a chart during the search warrant that indicated Discreet Deliveries had done over $700,000 in business from January through July, 2015,” according to the charging documents.
Michael Crites, owner of Absolutely Chronic Delivery Co. (ACDC), faces five counts of fourth-degree controlled substance misconduct — a felony charge — and one count of fifth-degree controlled substance misconduct, online court records show. In April, APD launched a criminal investigation into the business after learning that ACDC was advertising itself online and on paper flyers as a marijuana delivery service.
“According to information obtained by APD, ACDC was offering to deliver marijuana in exchange for monetary ‘donations,’” charging documents say. “Investigators learned that ACDC’s ‘donations’ were not voluntary, but instead payment for the purchase of marijuana.”
APD detectives made five undercover purchases of marijuana from ACDC between May and August, court documents show.
Police served a search warrant at Absolutely Chronic Delivery Co. in August, where 27 ounces of marijuana — with a retail value of more than $12,000 — was found hidden above the ceiling tiles. APD also seized the company’s vehicles prior to the search.
“As of now, there have been no requests for anyone to be arrested,” says John Skidmore, director of the Department of Law’s Criminal Division, adding that a summons has been filed.
This story will be updated.
