Black Market Pot Sale Becomes Violent Robbery
DENVER (CBS4) - Marijuana is likely the motive for a violent robbery committed in the middle of the day in a busy part of Denver. It's the second black market marijuana sale to turn violent over the last week.
Legalizing marijuana was expected to eliminate or greatly reduce street crime involving the drug. Yet at midday on Sunday, two people at Colfax Avenue and Cook Street carried guns to reportedly steal marijuana from a man standing on the street. They drove off heading west on Colfax Avenue.
The guns and drugs are troubling for those working or living near the crime scene.
"Yeah, it's pretty terrifying, I mean I work here every day, so I definitely don't feel safe," said Hillary Lauer.
Last Sunday, Denver police said there was a carjacking at South Federal Boulevard and West Yale Avenue. Victims were described as brokering a marijuana sale when an armed man forced them out of their car and took it. Police later spotted the suspect in a parking lot on West Evans Avenue, sitting in the driver's seat of the stolen car.
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Police noted how this street crime also began with marijuana.
"These parties were met on Craigslist and that's how this ordeal happened, the only thing that was taken was about 3 ounces of medical marijuana," police scanner chatter said.
Craigslist is filled with offers to deliver or deal marijuana, which is a dangerous market, according to legal cannabis seller Miriam Andolini.
"Possibly people on the street still, or Craigslist, you know people that don't have proper licensing to be able to sell," Andolini said.
Legally per day, it is allowed under state law to buy one ounce of recreational marijuana, and two ounces of medical marijuana in a licensed dispensary. In this case, three ounces of medical marijuana were stolen, which sells legally in a store for roughly $600.
