This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

SPRING VALLEY, Calif. — Deputies raided an illegal marijuana dispensary in Spring Valley, shuttering the business and seizing thousands of pounds of marijuana and marijuana products, authorities said Thursday.

A SWAT team served a warrant at the illicit dispensary in the 10600 block of Willie Baker Way around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, said San Diego County Sheriff’s Sgt. Zheath Sanchez.

During an ensuing search of the premises, deputies impounded about 3,000 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products, with an estimated street value of over $6 million, Sanchez said. The team also seized over $5,000 in cash, four handguns and one shotgun.

The warrant follows community concerns about illegal marijuana dispensaries near schools and residential areas.

“We want to assure those we serve the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is listening to the community and recognizes the negative impact illegal marijuana dispensaries have on our neighborhoods,” the sheriff’s department said.

Fire personnel were also at the scene to inspect the business and found numerous code violations, the sergeant said. San Diego Gas & Electric removed power from the business due to those violations.

  • Photo: San Diego Sheriff’s Department
  • Photo: San Diego Sheriff’s Department
  • Photo: San Diego Sheriff’s Department
  • Photo: San Diego Sheriff’s Department
  • Photo: San Diego Sheriff’s Department

The sheriff’s department said unregulated dispensaries attract criminals involved in other illicit drugs and are often the catalyst for violent crime, property crime, and financial crime that affect residents and other local businesses.

Investigators also said products sold at unlicensed facilities are cultivated and manufactured using processes that may be harmful to customers and are often marketed to children, creating a public safety hazard.