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June 21, 2008
Downtown Waukesha candle store busted for allegedly dispensing cannabis
Posted by Gary Storck
Saturday, June 21, 2008
As a Waukesha native, I was a bit surprised to read allegations a couple of locals decided to take on marijuana prohibition head on by selling pot out of their downtown storefront, along with candles. Today and when I last lived in Waukesha over 25 years ago, the largest drug dealer downtown was and is a large liquor/tobacco store in a former Sears department store building. The store hums with business all day every day. Dozens of smoky downtown bars round things out by keeping the suds and drinks flowing.
A pot store in Waukesha seems like a welcome change of scene. But, the real drug dealers, the alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceutical lobbies, continue to make sure that it will likely be a long time before a cannabis store in Waukesha is anything more than a pipe dream.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel click here
Published June 21, 2008
Author: Darryl Enriquez
AFTER DRUG TIP, POLICE RAID WAUKESHA STORECandle shop owner taken into custody
Waukesha - Another downtown store owner stands accused by police of conducting illicit activity through his business.
Police are seeking three counts of delivery of marijuana against the 46-year-old owner of a downtown candle shop. The merchant, James A. Juhay, who was named in a search warrant returned Friday to Waukesha County Circuit Court, likely will remain in jail over the weekend, and the case will be referred to the district attorney Monday, police Capt. Mark Stigler said.
Police say undercover officers purchased marijuana at the store, Candles for You, 744 N. Grand Ave., prompting them to execute a search warrant there late Thursday.
Police had received a tip that more drugs than candles were being sold there, and that the owner was sleeping in a closet there, Stigler said.
Police found over a pound of marijuana in the store during the raid, during which a 45-year-old man came up from the basement with 10 bags of marijuana and a scale on him, Stigler said.
That man, identified in a court record as Michael Freed, is facing a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver. The store owner is facing charges for felony bail jumping. Juhay had been free on bail in connection with charges filed in May of battery and possession of marijuana, Stigler said.
Victoria Hekkers, president of the Business Improvement District, praised the police action, saying it was quick and decisive.
(snip)
Posted by Gary at June 21, 2008 08:24 PM
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