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Farnworth said his pot-police dragnet has already hauled in a heavy load of illegal dope and black-market loot.

“These unlicensed retailers are cash-only operations,” he said. “In one example, nearly half-a-million dollars in cash was taken. In another case, around $450,000 worth of cannabis products was seized. It’s pretty significant.”

Farnworth said his pot squad is trying to be fair and reasonable to black-market cannabis merchants as the province develops a network of legally licensed stores.

“There’s been plenty of warning,” he said. “In the first stage, unlicensed retailers are educated about the law, the penalties for compliance, and what can happen. That’s been quite effective.”

He said the unit’s 44 “special provincial constables” issued 217 separate warnings to unlicensed retailers.

“The impact was 69 of those locations shut down voluntarily. But there have been 21 others — so far — who don’t seem to get the concept of following the law and have had enforcement actions taken against them.”

Under the province’s Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, unlicensed retailers can face fines up to $100,000 or 12 months in prison, or both.

Farnworth said even higher penalties are possible based on the amount of illegal dope seized in raids.

“Administrative penalties can be up to twice the value of the product seized,” he said. “So in that case of $450,000 worth of cannabis, the unlicensed retailer not only loses the product, but could also face a fine of $900,000.”