OG - RCMP dismantles Internet Drug Ring

[Saddam Butane]

Looks like the end for OG/CW/HS

 

 

Media Advisory - The RCMP dismantles an international drug distribution network on the internet

 

MONTREAL, Feb. 28 /CNW Telbec/ - Members of the Marihuana Grow Operations

Enforcement Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police concluded their first

major operation when they uncovered a Montreal based criminal organization

involved in the trafficking, importation and exportation of cannabis seeds, as

well as in conspiring for the purpose of cannabis cultivation via the

Internet. This operation was launched in November 2004 under the name

"Courriel" and culminated with the seizure of 200,000 cannabis seeds and the

arrest of seven persons.

The amount of seeds seized during the searches could have made it

possible to operate the equivalent of 500 cannabis greenhouses of 400 plants

each.

To find out all the details of this operation, journalists are invited to

attend a press conference at the RCMP Headquarters in Quebec.

 

WHAT: Press conference

Project Courriel

 

WHERE: RCMP Headquarters

4225 Dorchester Blvd.

Westmount (Quebec)

 

WHEN: February 28, 2006

10 a.m.

 

The head of operations, RCMP Drug Section, an expert witness on marihuana

and a representative of the RCMP Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Service

will be available to answer questions from the media.

It should be noted that Project "Courriel", a first in Canada, is the

fruit of the work of the new Marihuana Grow Operations Enforcement Team. This

new drug enforcement team is one of the seven teams established by the Royal

Canadian Mounted Police across Canada in 2004 in an effort to target the

scourge of marihuana.

 

 

 

For further information: Communications Office, (514) 939-8308

 

 

http://www.canadanewswire.ca/en/releases/a...6/28/c2223.html

[Saddam Butane]

THE RCMP DISMANTLES AN INTERNATIONAL DRUG

DISTRIBUTION NETWORK ON THE INTERNET

 

MONTRÉAL, Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – The members of the Marihuana Grow Operations Enforcement Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police concluded their first major operation when they uncovered a Montreal based criminal organization involved in the trafficking, importation and exportation of cannabis seeds, as well as in conspiring for the purpose of cannabis cultivation via the Internet. This operation was launched in November 2004 under the name "Courriel" and culminated with the seizure of 200,000 cannabis seeds and the arrest of seven persons.

 

Project "Courriel" revealed that Richard Hratch BAGHDADLIAN, 38, from Marsan Street in Montreal, and six other persons operated the Heaven’s Stairway company. This company was on the web claiming to be the North American supplier for indoor and outdoor cannabis production.

 

The cybercompany Heaven’s Stairway used the Internet sites hempqc.com, cannabisworld.com, overgrow.com, eurohemp.com, cannabisseeds.com, and cannabisbay.com. These sites were used to order cannabis seeds online and obtain information on cannabis cultivation. These Internet sites also suggested ways to outsmart the police.

 

 

(MISSING PICs ON WEBSITE, SEE URL AT BOTTON)

 

(Cliquer sur les photos pour un agrandissement)

 

Richard Hratch BAGHDADLIAN was the instigator, head and main beneficiary of the illicit company Heaven’s Straiway. The other six accused acted as couriers and performed other duties for the company. They are Geoffrey CHAN, 33, Maria Cristina CIVITILLO, 32, Natalie BAGHDADLIAN, 40, Manuel Bento FERNANDES, 45, Christopher ALMOND, 38, and Teresa RODRIGUES, 39. They all live in Montreal except Christopher ALMOND who lives in Ville Saint-Laurent.

 

The organization processed approximately 30 orders of cannabis seeds a day averaging $100 each. The seeds were sent to clients by regular mail.

 

The seven people are facing 49 charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. The offences were committed in Quebec, Canada, North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world between March 12, 1998 and January 31, 2006.

 

Nine searches were carried out during the week of January 30, 2006 in order to gather evidence that criminal activities had been committed. The searches were conducted in Montreal and Laval, as well as in the residences of three of the accused, a business, three post office boxes, a vehicle and a safe-deposit box.

 

These searches led to the seizure of 200,000 cannabis seeds, more than $183,362 in US currencies and $14,000 in Canadian currencies, both in cash and postal money orders, three one-kilogram gold bricks, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a Mazda RX8 and many purchase orders. Since the searches were conducted, 272 orders have been intercepted by the police.

 

The amount of seeds seized during the searches could have made it possible to operate approximately 500 cannabis greenhouses of 400 plants each, which represent 42 million joints sold on the street.

 

The seven accused are liable to 10 years’ imprisonment. Since the possession of cannabis seeds is illegal under Schedule II of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, clients of the network could also receive a visit from the police.

 

It should be noted that Project "Courriel", a first in Canada, is the fruit of the work of the new Marihuana Grow Operations Enforcement Team. This new drug enforcement team is one of the seven teams established by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police across Canada in 2004 to combat the scourge of marihuana. The main objectives of these teams are to interdict drugs before they arrive in our communities and to target and destroy the infrastructure and the networks used by criminal organizations involved in marihuana production. These organizations constitute a threat to public safety and well-being.

 

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/comm/2006/fev06/060228a_e.htm

[WantDaChronic]

These searches led to the seizure of 200,000 cannabis seeds, more than $183,362 in US currencies and $14,000 in Canadian currencies, both in cash and postal money orders, three one-kilogram gold bricks, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a Mazda RX8 and many purchase orders. Since the searches were conducted, 272 orders have been intercepted by the police.

 

thats alot of things to lose to the police, i would be spewing if i were in the same position :thumbdown

 

The amount of seeds seized during the searches could have made it possible to operate approximately 500 cannabis greenhouses of 400 plants each, which represent 42 million joints sold on the street.

 

geez the police are dumb, i bet 95% of the people who purchased seeds were personal growers

 

The seven accused are liable to 10 years’ imprisonment. Since the possession of cannabis seeds is illegal under Schedule II of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, clients of the network could also receive a visit from the police.

 

sure as shit glad i wasnt a member, nor visited those sites :thumbdown

[stonedstump]

Poor guy. CANADIAN POLICE SUCK DONKEY PENIS.

 

 

That is all.

[nugget]

It should be noted that Project "Courriel", a first in Canada, is the fruit of the work of the new Marihuana Grow Operations Enforcement Team. This new drug enforcement team is one of the seven teams established by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police across Canada in 2004 to combat the scourge of marihuana. The main objectives of these teams are to interdict drugs before they arrive in our communities and to target and destroy the infrastructure and the networks used by criminal organizations involved in marihuana production. These organizations constitute a threat to public safety and well-being.

 

Now if this isnt anti-MJ propaganda bullshit I dunno what is :thumbdown

 

Good luck to all involved...

Edited February 28, 2006 by nugget23

[dsyfer]

The amount of seeds seized during the searches could have made it possible to operate approximately 500 cannabis greenhouses of 400 plants each, which represent 42 million joints sold on the street.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, I think I've heard it all now, I thought the Australian Police were bad estimators ::

 

Don't they have bongs in Canada? Imagine that, 300,000,000 bong hits :reallyexcited:

[flipster]

It makes me wonder how safe we are here on this site. I mean sure the owners aren't (I think) involved with any seed selling or the like so probably aren't being watched too closely, but damn it would be easy to get loads of people's addresses if you had the right authorisation.

 

All you need is IP Address > ISP > ISP's signup records

 

I don't think we're all as safe as we like to think we are here in the land of the electrons...

[dsyfer]

I don't think we're all as safe as we like to think we are here in the land of the electrons...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unless your posting pics of a 200+ plant commercial grow, why would they bother trying to stretch further already stretched resources to bust a few personal growers?

 

It's just not worth their effort, and wouldn't make for very good media coverage :smoke

[flipster]

I'm still not quite sure at this point if this is sarcasm in reply to what I originally wrote on page 1. Hmmmm. Sometimes you just can't tell with stoners Edited February 28, 2006 by flipster

[nitram]

their first major operation when they uncovered a Montreal based criminal organization involved in the trafficking, importation and exportation of cannabis seeds, as well as in conspiring for the purpose of cannabis cultivation via the Internet.

 

conspiring for the purpose of cannabis cultivation via the Internet.

 

Is there such a law in Oz ? We'd all get rapped for that wouldn't we. :smoke

 

Soz to hear gush about your bust