SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP/KDKA) — A Bethel Park armored automobile firm has settled its lawsuit that accused the San Bernardino County sheriff of illegally seizing over $1 million in money it was transporting from medical marijuana companies.
The settlement for no monetary compensation introduced Friday permits Empyreal Logistics to renew providers after two transports of cash have been stopped and money was seized in November and December, The Sun of San Bernardino reported.
Deputies stated in a search warrant that there was possible trigger a felony had been dedicated when the automobile was stopped Nov. 16 and $700,000 was seized.
Though California is one in every of 37 states that permit medical use of marijuana and one in every of 18 that legalized its leisure use, the drug stays unlawful below federal regulation.
As a result of large banks and bank card firms have shunned the business, it largely operates on a money foundation. Consequently, some companies have turned to armored automobiles to move massive portions of money.
In an announcement, the sheriff’s division stated it acknowledged Empyreal acted in good religion.
“Either side additionally acknowledge that Empyreal is a part of the answer to assist with monetary transparency and that San Bernardino Deputies are usually not freeway robbers as beforehand reported within the media,” the assertion stated.
The corporate previously reached an agreement during which collaborating federal regulation enforcement businesses, together with the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration, agreed to return the cash.
Empyreal CEO Deirdra O’Gorman stated the corporate sued in federal court docket as a result of its state-licensed hashish clients and monetary establishment purchasers function legally.
“Now that the funds have been returned and after assembly with the sheriff, we’re assured that we will proceed serving state-legal companies with out future disruptions,” O’Gorman stated in an announcement.
Beneath federal civil forfeiture legal guidelines, if regulation enforcement had been entitled to grab the cash as proceeds of against the law, San Bernardino County would have been capable of maintain 80% of the money and the federal authorities would get the remaining.