An investigation continues after Vancouver Police executed a search warrant at an illegal Downtown Eastside marihuana dispensary.

At about 1:00 this afternoon, officers with the Vancouver Police Drug Section entered the Real Compassion Society located at 151 East Hasting Street. The search was conducted with a warrant to obtain additional evidence relevant to an on-going drug investigation.

Incremental steps have been taken to find an appropriate response to public safety concerns regarding this marihuana dispensary. The criminal investigation began when those concerns continued and police felt the business was operating in an unsafe manner.

Drug investigators do not believe that the operators of this dispensary were intent on providing any type of medical service, but instead were allegedly trafficking in significant amounts of marihuana for financial gain.

Everyone inside the business was identified and released. No arrests have been made. The investigation is on-going and charges are expected to be recommended once the investigation is complete. Investigators will also assess whether civil forfeiture should be recommended.