Pine City man charged after investigators uncover illegal marijuana cultivation, dispensary operation

A 42-year-old Pine City man has been charged with multiple felony drug-related charges after investigators determined he was operating an illegal cultivation and dispensary operation.

Alan Mosio was charged with 1st-degree possession of 50 kilograms or more of cannabis flower; 2nd-degree possession of 5 kilograms or more of cannabis concentrate; 2nd-degree possession of 50 grams or more of amphetamine/PCP/hallucinogens; and a 1st-degree charge of unlawfully cultivating more than 23 cannabis plants.

According to the criminal complaint, East Central Drug and Violent Offender Task Force agents began a narcotics investigation regarding Mosio in October of 2025.

Investigators believed Mosio was residing and growing marijuana at a Crooked River Road in Pine City and operating an illegal dispensary out of a 2nd Street residence.

Agents determined that Mosio, who had two active felony warrants for controlled substance offenses, did not have a license through the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management to cultivate or sell marijuana.

On Jan. 14, agents from the task force, Pine County Sheriff's Office and SWAT, Chisago County Sheriff's Office, Kanabec County Sheriff's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension assisted in executing a search warrant at both addresses.

Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Mosio's vehicle at the intersection of Crooked River Road and Cross Lake Road, and he was arrested for his active warrants after making several statements about marijuana being legal now.

A residential search warrant executed at the 2nd Street SE address resulted in agents observing that the residence appeared to be a storefront for a marijuana business, with numerous glass cases storing hundreds of THC products.

The complaint states that industrial equipment was set up in the kitchen to manufacture the products, including a hydraulic press, freeze dryer, marijuana tumbler, irrigator, and other related devices.

Law enforcement executing the search warrant at the Crooked River Road address discovered several instances of marijuana and related paraphernalia.

In total, nearly 800 pounds of marijuana flower; 19,550 mg of THC liquids; 3,955 grams of marijuana concentrate; 1 pound of psilocybin mushrooms; 78 grams of psilocybin mushroom candies; 21 containers of unpackaged homemade THC candies; 136 cannabis plants; and $18,891 in U.S. currency were seized from Mosio, the two residences, and his vehicle.

Mosio is scheduled to make his next court appearance on April 6.