Full Notification

On April 16, 2013 at 4:00 a.m., the Beverly Hills Police Department, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Santa Monica Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Secret Service executed eleven search warrants and three arrest warrants throughout the Los Angeles area.

This is the culmination of a four year investigation into an organized criminal enterprise involving large-scale marijuana distribution, not only in the Los Angeles area, but throughout the United States. This criminal enterprise hired known gang members as enforcers. This organization was involved in the operation of multiple retail marijuana dispensaries generating massive profits, repeatedly showing their willingness to use violence and intimidation to expand their operations and dissuade competition. To date, there have been 26 documented crimes, including Attempted Murder, Home Invasion Robbery, Conspiracy, Arson, Extortion, Residential Burglary, Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Use of a Destructive Device.

The investigation has identified 20 suspects in the commission of these crimes. Three suspects were taken into custody today and charged with a total of 46 felony counts. In addition, due to their involvement in the aforementioned criminal activity, search warrants were executed at four marijuana dispensaries:

“Zen” dispensary 8400 Block Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood

“Alternative Herbal Health Services” (AHHS) 7800 Block Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood

“La Brea Compassionate Caregivers” 700 Block North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles

“Marina Caregivers” 700 Washington Boulevard, Marina del Rey.

Over the course of this investigation, detectives have seized millions in cash and proceeds from this criminal enterprise.

Taken into custody were:
Andrew Kramer, 38 of Los Angeles
Rene Johnson, 50 of Los Angeles
Jonathan Livingston, 43 of Los Angeles