Windsor police say arrests were made for cannabis-related offences at an Erie Street East cafe on Wednesday — just one week after the same location was raided for similar cannabis-related offences.

In what has become an open clash between law enforcement agencies and illicit cannabis sellers, four people were taken into custody at Envy Cafe at 188 Erie St. East on Jan. 22.

Envy Cafe was one of two places that Windsor police, Essex County OPP, and members of the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team shut down on Jan. 15.

Windsor police said officers investigated the cafe again on Wednesday after they noticed that property closure signs put there on Jan. 15 had been removed.

Three adult males and an adult female were found in the building, as well as quantities of marijuana, cannabis-related products, and cash.

A member of the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team stands by Envy Cafe at 188 Erie St. East on Jan. 15, 2020. Dax Melmer / Windsor Star

Police said all four individuals will face charges of possession for the purpose of selling in violation of the Cannabis Act — as well as charges of breaking and entering.

The accused have been released and are scheduled for a future court date.

Windsor police emphasize that both Envy Cafe and the other location raided on Jan. 15 — Compassion House at 1965 Tecumseh Rd. West — have been seized by authorities.

“As such, no unauthorized persons are permitted entry to the properties. Notice of property closures were clearly posted at both locations following the seizure of the properties,” Windsor police stated in a news release.

“Both seized properties have clear signage posted indicating the property closures under section 18 of the Cannabis Act, 2017.”

But those involved with Envy Cafe remain defiant.

“How is this a just system?” read a post on Envy Cafe’s Facebook page on Thursday. “Would they arrest a server at a bar if the owner didn’t have their alcohol licence?”

The writer of the post accused the government of “protectionism” and attempting to hold a monopoly on cannabis.

On the subject of the provincial lottery for cannabis retail licences, the post described the system as “ridiculous.”

A message that Envy Cafe operators say police wrote on the door of the location at 188 Erie St. East, Jan. 19, 2020. Windsor Star

Envy Cafe has existed in Windsor in other locations. In March 2019, police raided a storefront under the name Envy at University Avenue West and Church Street — also for alleged Cannabis Act violations.

“What the police are doing is immoral, illegal, and unfathomable by everyone. Setting up surveillance and lying to our neighbours, landlords, and public to promote that we are doing wrong in the community,” stated another Facebook post by Envy Cafe.

“The police and the government have no idea the lengths we will go to fight for our rights.”

But Windsor police warned that they will continue their enforcement efforts related to Envy Cafe and Compassion House.

“The signage clearly states that any persons who enter the properties without judicial authorization may be charged with break and enter (or other related charges) under the Criminal Code of Canada,” police said.

Anyone with information about illegal entry or activity at those locations is encouraged to call investigators at 519-255-6700 ext. 4865.