Wednesday, February 4, 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

More provinces set to loosen COVID restrictions

More provinces set to loosen COVID restrictions
More provinces say they are preparing to loosen COVID-19 restrictions in the coming weeks, even as virus-related hospitalizations remain high. British Columbia's provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said gathering restrictions will begin to slowly be eased later this month.

More provinces set to loosen COVID restrictions

Multiple shots fired at a Surrey home

Multiple shots fired at a Surrey home
Evidence suggest that a person or persons associated to the previous owners may have been the intended target. The investigation is ongoing and police are working to identify the suspect(s).  This shooting is believed to be targeted however not linked to lower mainland gang conflict.    

Multiple shots fired at a Surrey home

Erin O'Toole loses leadership review vote

Erin O'Toole loses leadership review vote
Erin O'Toole has lost a vote to remain leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.  The party's members of Parliament met virtually today to cast secret ballots after about one-third of them signed a notice that triggered a leadership review.

Erin O'Toole loses leadership review vote

Canada's groundhogs disagree on weather forecast

Canada's groundhogs disagree on weather forecast
Nova Scotia's celebrity groundhog, Shubenacadie Sam, and Quebec's Fred la Marmotte both predicted a long, cold winter ahead, while Ontario's Wiarton Willie claimed an early spring is on the way.

Canada's groundhogs disagree on weather forecast

Hundreds using special code to avoid no-fly snags

Hundreds using special code to avoid no-fly snags
A dozen of these travellers have been cleared to board an aircraft as a direct result of having the personal code since the program began in November 2020, says Public Safety Canada.

Hundreds using special code to avoid no-fly snags

CMA urges Canada to speed vaccine access globally

CMA urges Canada to speed vaccine access globally
Raising the international vaccination rate in less prosperous countries is the only way to prevent the emergence of new COVID-19 variants that are prolonging the pandemic through an endless cycle of lockdowns and serious illness, said Dr. Katharine Smart, the president of the leading association of Canadian medical professionals.

CMA urges Canada to speed vaccine access globally