Clementine Cartel Fights for Turf on East Coast

I warned about this lemonade cartel but no one listened after the town of Tulare California caved to the citrus criminal element. Now, New York officials are facing a new cartel on the other coast headed by a shadowy figure known as “Clementine.” Like the Crips and Bloods, the fight over territory is intense and police found Clementine Lee, 10, openly pushing lemonade on a corner. They hit her with a summons and a potential fine of $200, but now apologists rushing to her side.

The not-so-darling Clementine is a recidivist who opened a lemonade last year and is often seen “scoring” customers on hot summer days. Her father, Richard, 49, has been seen helping his daughter break into the business.

Richard says that the police “were very hostile as soon as they approached, saying ‘Where’s your permit? Where’s your permit?’ ”

What is amazing is that onlookers (probably “lemon heads” in police parlance) argued with the officers and objected to the bust.

Now, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe has knuckled under and withdrawn the ticket. While this little lemon pusher plies her wares in the park, hard-working-god-fearing heroin dealers and porn peddlers will be pushed aside.

In New York, they will sometimes refer to the illegal beverage as “lemon cake” or “Italian ice.” Below is a rare clip of the Lemon Cartels in a New York meeting of the drink dons:

Sure, the lemonade will now be served, but will justice?

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