New Mexico’s Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) Enforcement Bureau has opened more than two dozen active criminal cases related to the state’s cannabis and industries since the agency began operations in January, KRQE reports. Agency Chief Vince Mares told KRQE that the agency is “getting calls every day” about other suspected violations of the state’s cannabis law, including illegal operations, regulatory violations, and potentially unsafe products.
One of the bureau’s active investigations involves an unlicensed cannabis operation in Torrance County where investigators discovered more than 21,000 pounds of cannabis being cultivated in 21 greenhouses. In that case, investigators collected plant samples for testing before “destroying it with heavy dirt movers” to ensure it would not be used or sold, Mares told KRQE.
In Los Alamos, investigators conducted age compliance checks at a smoke shop that police were told was selling hemp derived THC products without checking ID. Los Alamos Police Department Det. Sgt. Ryan Wolking told KRQE that testing raised concerns about the products’ safety.
“Since some of the product that we were able to purchase came back with high levels of pesticides, you know, the concern is that people who think that they’re getting one product are getting something that’s much more dangerous, and especially for kids,” — Wolking to KRQE
Mares told KRQE that the agency takes a case-by-case approach to enforcement and that investigators “really don’t want to come across as heavy-handed.”
“We will work with the licensed facilities to ensure they come into compliance,” Mares said.
RLD told KRQE that the Enforcement Bureau has seven special agent positions and works alongside local law enforcement agencies and the state’s Organized Crime Commission.
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