California, Van Nuys

[palmspringsbum]

Article Last Updated: 08/30/2006 09:40:07 PM PDT

DEA agents rescue undercover cop

Medical-marijuana dispensary workers held officer

Daily News

August 30, 2006



VAN NUYS - DEA agents entered a medical-marijuana dispensary Wednesday to free an undercover colleague who was not being allowed to leave by workers who discovered he was not a real customer, a Drug Enforcement Administration spokeswoman said.

No one was injured and no arrests were made as of Wednesday evening after the incident at the Trichome Healing Center at 7100 Van Nuys Blvd., said DEA spokeswoman Sarah Pullen.

The center was under surveillance when an undercover agent entered the business, Pullen said.

While inside, the agent became aware that his identity may have been compromised and when he attempted to leave the business, employees stopped him.

"They blocked the exit and at that point the surveillance agents became aware that the officer inside was not being allowed to leave so they entered the premises and were able to secure his exit," she said.

An investigation is ongoing, she said.