OLYMPIA, WA 09-05-24: Following investigations into unlicensed liquor and drug sales, Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) officers served five search warrants on unlicensed businesses. Officers seized a large amount of liquor, controlled substances, and legend drugs (for example antibiotics and injectable anti-inflammatory drugs that require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and dispensing from a licensed pharmacy).
Background on the LCB’s investigations and special operation:
During the investigations undercover officers from LCB bought liquor from unlicensed businesses in the B&I Marketplace located at 8012 South Tacoma Way in Lakewood. The businesses included “Farmacia Naturista,” “El Remate,” “Novedades La Piñata,” “La Salsa,” and “El Sabor De Oaxaca.”
The investigations were conducted in response to complaints that the businesses were selling liquor to minors. In an attempt to gain voluntary compliance of liquor laws, several of the businesses were first advised of the complaints, but all of them denied selling liquor. The complaints further claimed Farmacia Naturista and El Remate were illegally selling prescription medications and other drugs.
Over the course of recent months, undercover LCB officers made numerous buys of liquor and illicit drugs in collaboration with an investigator from the Washington State Department of Health’s Board of Pharmacy. In partnership with Lakewood Police Department and the Board of Pharmacy, LCB officers carried out search warrants Wednesday morning.
Altogether, the officers located and seized beer, wine, and about 30 cases of liquor from the businesses, which may have been illegally imported from Mexico. At Farmacia Naturista and El Remate, LCB officers and the Pharmacy Board investigator identified and seized hundreds of packages of illegally imported medications, including Tramadol, phentermine (Fentermina), Lyrica (pregabalin), testosterone, and drugs packaged in syringes. Officers also seized illegal cannabis products from these stores.
Neither Farmacia Naturista nor El Remate, which are under common ownership, have pharmacy or cannabis licenses. When the search warrants were being executed, the owner of these businesses locked Farmacia Naturista’s storage room in an attempt to conceal liquor and drugs and obstruct the investigation. The controlled substances and legend drugs were stored out of public view in back rooms, cabinets, and under the counters.
LCB officers will be recommending gross misdemeanor charges to the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office for Operating Without a Liquor License (RCW 66.24.481 and RCW 66.44.090). Additionally, for the owners of Farmacia Naturista, LCB officers will be recommending a misdemeanor charge for Operating a Pharmacy Without a License (RCW 18.64.250) and felony charges for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of Controlled Substances (RCW 69.50.401), Unlawful Possession and Delivery of Legend Drugs (RCW 66.41.030), and Money Laundering (RCW 9A.83.020).
Images of the evidence seized, and the special operation are available through the links below.
Exterior Market Image, Farmacia Naturista Interior, Illegal Spirits, Legend Drugs, Legend Drugs 2, Illegal Spirits 2, Illegal Tramadol, Illegal Spirits 3.
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