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HAMILTON- The three men who are accused of running an illegal medical marijuana dispensary in Ravalli County pleaded not guilty to felony drug charges during a Wednesday morning court appearance.

Tony Smith, Kelly Goosey, and Thomas Patterson are being charged in connection with the former medical marijuana business Banana Belt Caregivers.

The investigation into that dispensary started last July when a landlord found out his tenant, Darrell Riley, was growing marijuana illegally on his rental property in Florence.

The investigation into Riley eventually led Ravalli County detectives to the Banana Belt Caregivers and resulted in five people being charged.

Prosecutors say Smith, Goosey and Patterson ran their business illegally because the new law was in effect and they didn't have the new "provider" cards.