Tuesday, February 3, 2026
ADVT 
National

Illegal drug dispensary operates as a tattoo studio shut down after allegedly selling to youth

Darpan News Desk Burnaby RCMP, 03 Mar, 2022 01:39 PM
  • Illegal drug dispensary operates as a tattoo studio shut down after allegedly selling to youth

An illegal dispensary selling cannabis and other drugs has been shut down after an investigation by Burnaby RCMP.

Officers were contacted by a concerned community member in mid-February, after a teenager allegedly bought cannabis from inside a business near Hastings Street and Beta Avenue. The store had exterior signage indicating it was a tattoo studio, but was operating without a business license, and was set up as a drug dispensary inside.

On Feb. 18, members of Burnaby RCMP’s Community Response Team (CRT), with assistance from Burnaby bylaw officers, executed a search warrant at the location.

Officers seized cannabis products, magic mushrooms (psilocybin), and suspected MDMA.

The dispensary has now been shut down.

“It is of particular concern to our officers and to the community that an underage teenager was allegedly able to purchase drugs from this location,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj with Burnaby RCMP. “The purchase and use of illegal and unregulated drugs creates serious health and safety risks. This is particularly worrisome when youth are involved.”

While cannabis is legal to purchase and consume in Canada, there are strict regulations in place, including where products can be purchased. You must also be 19-years or older to buy, use, or possess non-medical cannabis in B.C.

MORE National ARTICLES

BC Floods: A Road to Recovery

BC Floods: A Road to Recovery
Henry Braun, Mayor of Abbotsford, admitted to the city having known that the Sumas River dike was dangerously low, but the cost to repair was unaffordable for the municipality. Now, damages have reached astronomical numbers.    

BC Floods: A Road to Recovery

Canadians less trusting as COVID-19 drags on: poll

Canadians less trusting as COVID-19 drags on: poll
The data is part of the 2022 edition of Proof's trust index, a survey Proof normally does annually but has been conducting more than once a year since the pandemic began.

Canadians less trusting as COVID-19 drags on: poll

Census: Despite COVID-19, population hits 36.9M

Census: Despite COVID-19, population hits 36.9M
The five-year growth rate was double that of any peer country in the G7, and Statistics Canada says most of the growth happened prior to the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

Census: Despite COVID-19, population hits 36.9M

Two people in serious condition following shooting in Fraser Heights area: Surrey RCMP

Two people in serious condition following shooting in Fraser Heights area: Surrey RCMP
Surrey RCMP responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 16800-block of 104 Avenue. A male and a female were located in a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to hospital, the female in serious condition, the male with life-threatening injuries.

Two people in serious condition following shooting in Fraser Heights area: Surrey RCMP

Alberta starts lifting COVID-19 rules

Alberta starts lifting COVID-19 rules
Kenney told a news conference Tuesday that the vaccine passport, known in Alberta as the restriction exemption program, would end within hours — at midnight.

Alberta starts lifting COVID-19 rules

B.C. throne speech promises greener economy

B.C. throne speech promises greener economy
Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin read the speech from the throne in the legislature on Tuesday outlining the government's agenda as politicians return for a spring sitting expected to continue until June.

B.C. throne speech promises greener economy