“Cannabis Transportation Firm Hires Retired Cops to Move Weed and Cash in Missouri”
In a surprising twist, a company called Talaria Transportation has hired retired law enforcement officers to transport cannabis products and cash around Missouri. The company, which is headquartered in Pennsylvania, has obtained two transportation facility licenses from the state and is looking to capitalize on Missouri’s booming cannabis industry.
Bryce Stull, a former St. Louis City police officer, is one of the retired cops who now works for Talaria. He and his colleagues are responsible for moving cannabis products between dispensaries, manufacturing facilities, cultivation facilities, and testing labs. Stull admits that the irony of his situation is not lost on him, as he used to crack down on weed-related crimes during his time as a police officer.
Talaria’s CEO, Ari Raptis, says that the company intentionally hires former police officers and military members for their security skills. “They lived a life of protecting and securing products,” Raptis said. “They deal with high-risk, high-value products and they understand the needs in protecting that.”
Missouri’s cannabis industry has seen significant growth since adult-use sales became legal in 2022. The state has generated $2.5 billion in sales of recreational cannabis over the past two years, earning it the nickname “Cannabis Mecca.” Talaria is looking to capitalize on this growth, with plans to expand its fleet of 20 unmarked and armored vehicles and hire more employees.
The company is also diversifying its services, with a sister company called National Secure Transport that transports cash for cannabis businesses. Stull, who is the vault manager at National Secure Transport’s St. Louis office, oversees a team of nine drivers who transport cash from dispensaries to the Federal Reserve in downtown St. Louis.
Talaria’s growth plans are ambitious, with Raptis predicting a 60% increase in business in Missouri this year. The company is also looking to expand its services to other states, with Raptis saying that it transports about $1.5 billion worth of cannabis annually nationwide.
