Weed supplier raids are on the rise in Michigan

Michigan is reporting a notable increase in muggings of cannabis delivery drivers as authorities scramble to get the problem under control before it escalates. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) on Tuesday issued a bulletin alerting cannabis companies to a surge in criminal activity.

Macomb Daily reports that authorities are concerned about the rise in crime in the Detroit area. Forced to carry dangerous amounts of cash and/or cannabis, delivery drivers are like hounds with a target on their heads.

According to a recent bulletin issued by the CRA on Jan. 17, officials “have identified a pattern in reported criminal activity involving drivers,” reporting 13 cannabis product thefts, all within the past six weeks. The MRA regularly issues bulletins when a problem arises, including when a dangerous pattern emerges.

A number of burglaries were reported in Hazel Park and Ferndale in Oakland County, Utica in Macomb County, Westland, Hamtramck and Detroit in Wayne County, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Lansing. The burglaries have been increasing since the beginning of December 2022.

The data shows that the thefts typically took place in homes at the time of delivery. In some cases there have been armed robberies in which drivers have been attacked and their vehicles stolen.

When a robbery occurs, time is ticking for the victims involved. “Licensees and applicants are reminded that administrative regulations require that they notify the CRA and local law enforcement agencies within 24 hours of becoming aware – or within 24 hours after licensees should have become aware – of the Theft or loss of any product or criminal activity in the marijuana business,” the CRA said in a press release.

“All suspicious activity should be reported to the CRA (using the form available here) and local law enforcement. Questions can be sent to the Cannabis Regulatory Agency field operations.”

Licensees are also reminded to be alert for suspicious activity and to report it to the police and CRA. The reporting form is available online.

Not only the delivery drivers are at risk

Delivery drivers aren’t the only ones targeted by criminals. Just last November, the CRA said there were 117 burglaries at cannabis businesses from April through November 2022. Authorities also said the incidents mostly took place at adult-use stores and not at medical cannabis dispensaries.

The CRA says the following tactics have been common in burglaries: a suspect vehicle parked in the open spaces of the parking lot or across the street; using a tool such as a hammer or pry bar to enter the back door; or suspects enter the store and take as much as possible and leave before the authorities arrive. A majority of the burglaries took place between 12 p.m. and 7 a.m. across western Michigan this year, according to the CRA.

It’s not only happening in Michigan, but also in Oregon and Washington state. Earlier this year, about 30 robberies occurred in Washington in one month.

The increase in robberies of licensed cannabis stores and delivery drivers adds to the urgency of a bill like the SAFE Banking Act. The SAFE Banking Act, which in 2022 did not go as far as first thought, would solve many of these problems.

“It makes absolutely no sense for legitimate businesses to be forced to operate exclusively with cash, and it’s dangerous — and sometimes even deadly — for employees behind the register,” Washington Senator Patty Murray said in a statement attached The Associated Press was broadcast.