SpiralArchitect

Operation Scarecrow' busts international drug ring
8/27/08|CTV.ca

Canadian police forces working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency say they have broken up a major international drug organization in an operation they dubbed "Project Scarecrow."

The 18-month investigation culminated Tuesday with the execution of 20 warrants in the Ottawa area. Those arrested are facing a total of 230 drug and money laundering charges.

Police officials said a drug bust earlier this month netted more than 25 kilograms of marijuana, several firearms and more than $83,000 in cash. Police said the scope of the investigation was much bigger than they initially anticipated.

Ottawa police said the operation began in April 2007 with a probe into an Asian criminal organization that produced and sold marijuana in the Ottawa area.

"The investigation quickly expanded when a distribution network that imported marijuana into the United States from Canada was identified," Ottawa police said in a press release.

In a joint press conference that included members of the DEA, the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, Ottawa and Mohawk police, and the Canadian Border Services Agency, Ottawa police Superintendent Tim Armour told reporters 11 people were arrested in New York on Aug. 18 and face trafficking and conspiracy to import drugs charges.

"During the course of the investigation, five marijuana operations were dismantled resulting in the destruction of just under 3,000 plants," Armour said.

"The combined street values of the plants and packaged marijuana was approximately $3.5 million dollars."

The criminal organization was also found to be importing ecstasy and cocaine into the Ottawa, police said.

"The success of Project Scarecrow has put a sizeable dent at the production and distribution levels of the drug trade in Ottawa," Armour said in the Ottawa police press release.

Police said part of the drug operation went through locations in the Akwesasne Mohawk community, which were "identified as smuggling conduits." The criminal activities of the organization extended all the way to Asia, police said.

According to the press release, "The Criminal Organizations were also involved in money laundering operations, in which proceeds were transferred through the United States of America, into Canada, and Vietnam."

[News Note: These LEO's are fooling themselves. Taking out one drug dealing organization only allows for many more to step in and take their place. Any sizable dent in the illegal drug trade is going to transform into an increased influx of drugs into the area.]

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SirSmokaALot

i smell a huge waste of tax money and lost revenue for the economy in general (if it was legal!) except for them scumbag DEA fags who profit from such unnecessary raids....

Mike

Hey, that's not really very appropriate, I mean, fag is offensive to some people...

some better options include:

scumbag DEA cocksuckers
scumbag DEA twats
scumbag DEA assholes
scumbag DEA pussies
scumbag DEA motherfuckers
scumbag DEA fucking pieces of shit
scumbag DEA agents who take it up the ass like the bitches they are
scumbag DEA agents who waste tax payer's money on an unwinnable war
etc...

ok, I really just wanted to say fag was inappropriate and then make a list of even less appropriate things...

(though I still have to respect the DEA as they probably think they are helping, it's just pot that they're fucking up on (to me), the other off-topics I don't really care for/about)

SirSmokaALot

Pleeasee.... its not offensive when it comes to DEA... they can be called every stinkin names in the world and not even a crybaby would cry about it... so why cry when its directed toward the DEA... it suits them with that name "fags"

Buzzby

Does anyone realize how infantile it makes them look to make such an effort at calling people names? Name-calling on public forums does nothing to help end the drug war. What it does is make marijuana users look like idiots. Are you doing anything that actually makes a difference or are you just getting your jollies out of bitching about it?

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NoobMcGee

I dunno, I've always gotten a kick outta calling them douchebags, fags, assholes, whatever. Really, there's not to much else we can do about DEA agents.

Also pot site=serious business lol.

Mike

I realize I'm being immature, but to be more accurate I'm not bitching about it, I was only being immature. It had nothing to do with ending the drug war, making a point, or making a tiny difference, it was simply to be immature. Now to prove my point.....penis.

elgrande

This is a major bust? In the Southwest USA these amounts of pot and cash wouldn't raise an eyebrow from federal authorities. Local cops would even consider it a routine bust.

GREENFOODGAMES

3000 beautifull plants detroyed instead of enjoyed

Freedom_User

I could sit in this thread, look through the dictionary and call the DEA every name in the book. The fact is, they will continue to do what they please with our tax paying dollars regardless. Turn it around, and donate to NORML. That's the very best insult that you could ever give to the DEA. A movement that would take power away from the feds, and make them obey our laws.

HEY! I got a good idea! Lets set up a conference with a large number of our law enforcement officers, and slap each other on the backs and say great job, as the violent crimes continue to happen.

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The feds continually use and twist this simple clause as an excuse to expand their own power - at the expense of our liberty.

"If you shot a ton of pot to the Sun, will it burn up and get everyone high?"