‘You’re canni-busted’: 3 arrested for running marijuana dispensary out of ‘Cannibus’

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrests of three suspects who operated a mobile marijuana dispensary.

Officials said the suspects used a bus, the suspects called “Cannibus Mobile Dispensary,” to sell the illegal marijuana.

“You’re canni-busted,” Sheriff Judd said after detailing that the suspects crossed over the county line into Polk from Orange County.

On Wednesday, a citizen reported that the bus was illegally distributing substances in the parking lot of a shopping center off Highway 192 in the Clermont area.

“I would say we noticed a change in the last couple of months,” said Fabian Beltran, owner of La Notaria, which is located near where the bus was parked.

He acknowledged he did not like the smell or the crowds that gathered but he’s pro-business.

“I’m not against that, as long as you apply for the right licenses and you complying with the regulations,” he said.

While patrol cars were on the scene, Sheriff Judd said several would-be customers tried to purchase the drugs.

“This is just plain stupid,” Judd said. “These folks won’t be up for any awards for brilliance.”

On the bus, the words, “No medical card required,” are written on the side. The bus also plugs the suspects’ social media handles and a QR code with a menu of options including cookies, gummies, and flowers.

Inside the bus was a sign stating, “NO MEDICAL CARD? NO PROBLEM! USE OURS! FOR $5.” Deputies also found several containers of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a digital scale with cocaine residue, vape cartridges, a marijuana package labeled, “GOVERNMENT WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS CANNABIS, A SCHEDULE 1 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE,” and 12 packages of marijuana each labeled 3.5 grams.

Online, the suspects advertised being the first recreational dispensary for cannabis in Florida, Sheriff Judd said. The suspects also sold cocaine alongside marijuana and hemp.

Jimmy Andrial and his wife Bianca told detectives they purchased the marijuana from a licensed supplier with Jimmy’s card, then purchased their own packaging to sell to the public.

Officials said the pair refused to disclose where they purchased the drugs and packaging from and didn’t have a state-issued license to sell marijuana.

“Something tells me these folks might have been over-sampling their own products,” Sheriff Judd added.

The Sheriff said they sold 3.5 grams for $50. For a blunt dipped in THC resin, it was at least $75.

“He who smokes weed on the toilet is high on pot,” Judd said quoting Confucius.

The couple, along with Daniel McCreary, were all arrested and charged with multiple felonies including possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and cocaine, and keeping a vehicle for drug sales, among others.

The suspects have lengthy criminal histories, including more than 50 felonies and misdemeanors, battering law enforcement, grand theft, and robbery. Jimmy has 102 previous criminal charges.

Jimmy also threatened detectives during his arrest, telling them he had been to jail four times before and had battered law enforcement in the past.

“I’ll guarantee you, if you pass recreational marijuana you’ll see these like you see convenience stores and that’s the choice the people in the state of Florida will make,” said Sheriff Judd, referring to Amendment 3 on the November ballot.

Amendment 3 would legalize recreational use of marijuana for anyone 21 years of age or older.

Marijuana could be sold recreationally from existing medical marijuana centers.

“The only reason there are unregulated sellers that are offering marijuana out of a bus is because adults in Florida want to buy marijuana and they can’t currently buy marijuana from legal retailers,” said Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.