A Las Vegas man was arrested after allegedly running a fake marijuana dispensary called Elevate Medical Pharmacy.
Narcotics detectives arrived at the building at 2951 Westwood Drive, near Desert Inn Road and Interstate 15, around 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 19. While inside, officials noted marijuana edibles in a refrigerator and jars of marijuana in a glass display case. There were also dry erase boards with prices and cash registers.
Officers at the scene contacted the Department of Taxation, Marijuana Enforcement Division, as well as a special investigator for Clark County Business Licensing. Both said that Elevate Medical Pharmacy didn't have a license to operate.
Police say the alleged owner of the operation, Clayton "Raz" Bernard, was read his Miranda Rights around 7 p.m. but he stated he didn't understand his rights because he wasn't an American citizen.
According to an arrest report, Bernard claimed he was trying to start his own country, and the Department of Taxation charged him $6,500 to do so. He said he was at Elevate Medical Pharmacy to pick up his mail. When asked how he knew the mail was sent to the business address, Bernard claimed he was a Federal Agent from his own government.
Bernard later tested positive for marijuana use. He was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to sell and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.
