Police battle with illegal cannabis dispensaries over 'sidewalk sales'

'Sidewalk sales' held outside GTA pot shops Police say they have received complaints about large crowds gathering for 'sidewalk sales' outside illegal dispensaries.

The Toronto Police Service’s battle with illegal cannabis dispensaries continues this weekend after police say customers gathered for “sidewalk sales” outside shuttered shops.

Four illegal dispensaries operating under the CAFE name have been raided this week and in order to keep staff from reopening the shops, police have placed concrete blocks outside the entrances of the buildings.

Police said on Sunday they received complaints about people selling narcotics outside the CAFE locations on Fort York Boulevard and Harbord Street.

Eight people were subsequently charged with unlawful sale under the Cannabis Control Act.

Police say they seized multiple iPads with customer names and financial information, along with debit machines and walkie talkie radios.

“Toronto Police advise the public that by buying and selling cannabis outside of regulated, legal businesses they are supporting organized crime," police tweeted on Sunday.

Those charged on Sunday are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.