Crime & Safety

Weho Dispensary Owner Primary Suspect in Drug Ring Bust

Authorities allege that Andrew Kramer, owner of the Zen Healing Collective, along with other suspects used violence and threats to strongarm competition.

Andrew Kramer, owner of West Hollywood's Zen Healing Collective, is at the center of a mult-agency investigation into a drug ring accused of attempting to edge out competiton using arson and attempted homicide.

Kramer, 38, Rene Johnson, 50, and Jonathan Livingston, 43, were arrested on 46 felony counts Tuesday, following a law enforcement raid of four Los Angeles-area dispensaries, including the Zen Healing Collective and Alternative Herbal Health Services in West Holywood.

Beverly Hills Lieutenant Lincoln Hoshino of the Beverly Hills Police Department did not elaborate on what role the Weho dispensaries played in the alleged drug ring. However, on Wednesday afternoon he said that Beverly Hills residents, landlords and dispensary owners were the victims of alleged "intimidation, arson and death threats."

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He added that Kramer "had enough influence to be one the of the primary suspects."

Among the alleged crimes perpetrated by the drug ring, Hoshina said, were arsons to both a motor vehicle and a residence. The suspects have also been accused of attempted murder.

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Asked by what means the suspects attempted to make their kill, Hoshina responded that they "tried to burn someone up."

Dispensaries in Marina Del Ray and Santa Monica were also searched during Tuesday's raid, which was executed Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Los Angeles police departments, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S Secret Service.

"Over the course of this investigation, detectives have seized millions in cash and proceeds from this criminal enterprise," Hoshino said.


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