Illegal drugs and alcohol seized after undercover sting at Lakewood’s B&I Marketplace

Five Lakewood businesses are accused of selling alcohol and/or drugs without a license.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board carried out an undercover investigation against businesses in the B&I Marketplace, which include Farmacia Naturista, El Remate, Novedades La Piñata, La Salsa and El Sabor De Oaxaca, according to a news release.

The investigation began after there were complaints the businesses were selling liquor to minors, the release said. There were also complaints that accused Farmacia Naturista and El Remate of illegally selling prescription medications and other drugs.

Several of the businesses were advised of the complaints, but they all denied selling alcohol, the release said.

LCB undercover officers allegedly made several purchases of liquor and illicit drugs in recent months, the release said. They worked in collaboration with an investigator from the Washington State Department of Health’s Board of Pharmacy.

Officers carried out a search and seizure on Wednesday. They seized beer, wine and about 30 cases of liquor, which might have been illegally imported from Mexico, the release said.

Officers and investigators seized hundreds of packages of illegally imported medications, including Tramadol, phentermine (Fentermina), Lyrica (pregabalin), testosterone and drugs packaged in syringes at Farmacia Naturista and El Remate, the release said. Illegal cannabis products were also taken from those stores.

Farmacia Naturista and El Remate, which are under similar ownership, do not have pharmacy and cannabis licenses, the release said.

The LCB alleges that while the search warrants were being executed, the owner locked Farmacia Naturista’s storage room in an attempt to hide the liquor and drugs, the release said. The substances and drugs were placed out of public view in back rooms, cabinets and under the counters.

Gross misdemeanor charges against the businesses will be recommended to the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office for operating without a liquor license, the release said.

LCB officers are also recommending charges for the owners of Farmacia Naturista for operating a pharmacy without a license. They will also include felony charges for unlawful possession and delivery of controlled substances, unlawful possession and delivery of legend drugs and money laundering, the release said.