A group of senior doctors selling medical marijuana licenses online in Israel was caught by the police on Monday, according to the Jerusalem Post. The Israeli police detained or arrested around 15 suspects, illegally working in 20 locations.
The investigation has been ongoing for about a year when the police first learned about the Telegram channel that was selling medical marijuana licenses to people without medical history. The national cyber unit Lahav 433 was in charge of the investigation, catching a network of physicians and mediators who sold the licenses for thousands of shekels 1000 shekels equal to $294 each.
The illegal network sold license renewals and approvals for higher dosages. The criminal network made more than 17 million dollars in total $6 million. The network was also used to buy marijuana and sell it at a higher price.
One company helped customers come up with cover stories in order to get illegal marijuana licenses, according to the report. The company was helping those interested in licenses get needed medical papers, and taught them what excuses to use to get a recommendation for marijuana consumption.
The doctors and others involved in the illegal MMJ activities are facing charges of taking and giving bribes, breach of trust, fraud, drug trafficking and supply, forgery under aggravated circumstances and crimes under the Income Tax Ordinance, among others.