Strange deliveries aren’t uncommon in a city as lively as West Hollywood, but what showed up at the Collar Club this week caught everyone by surprise. A man turned in a mysterious package to authorities after discovering it contained a large amount of marijuana.
The Collar Club, a members-only social space for dog lovers located on the 8400 block of West Hollywood, was the unlikely recipient of the shipment. Inside the package: nearly two and a half pounds of marijuana.
“Why would a members-only social club for dog owners get two and a half pounds of weed?” asked Paul Leonard, the Collar Club’s owner. Leonard explained that the package was originally shipped from their store months ago, traveled across the globe, and unexpectedly found its way back to West Hollywood.
Deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department quickly responded to the scene and confiscated the package. While the exact weight of the marijuana wasn’t disclosed, Leonard said authorities estimated its street value to be about $10,000.
At first, Leonard thought the whole ordeal was a prank. “We had clients in our store, we had dogs getting groomed, we had clients getting coffee, we had people just sitting out there in our members-only dog parks—and it was kind of embarrassing,” he admitted. The idea of a dog grooming and social business in West Hollywood suddenly becoming the center of a narcotics investigation was surreal.
Experts say situations like this are more common than people think. According to narcotics investigators, drug traffickers often send packages to random addresses, hoping to retrieve them before the unsuspecting recipient discovers what’s inside. Unfortunately for them, this particular package landed in the heart of West Hollywood a place better known for its nightlife, dining, and dog-friendly culture than drug mishaps.
For locals, the bizarre event has quickly become a talking point. Businesses in West Hollywood thrive on their reputations, and Leonard has been quick to make clear that the Collar Club had nothing to do with the contents of the box.
Despite the strange situation, Leonard says business at the Collar Club continues as usual. With dog parks, coffee, and grooming services, the club remains one of West Hollywood’s most unique gathering spaces. And while the marijuana mix-up might be one of the oddest stories to come out of West Hollywood this year, it’s also a reminder of the unpredictable moments that keep this city buzzing.
In the end, the case highlights not only the quirks of life in West Hollywood but also the vigilance of business owners who know when something just isn’t right.