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The RCMP Dismantles an International Drug Distribution Network on the Internet
Canada NewsWire | 02/28/2006

MONTREAL, Feb. 28 /CNW Telbec/ - 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.

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.
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alexnalaska

42 million joints? Now who the heck knows they could roll 42 million joints. And isn't 42 million an odd #.

The canucks must be having some mighty big carrots out in front of their horses faces to be headed down that road. Meaning the USA must be pulling some royal taffy Lots of inncentatives for our northern neighbors$$$$$$$$$$$$.....

Looks like this is two steps backwards for the community? I feel for the folks in that data base.

alex out

dedbr

but I'm glad I never ordered seed's from the dealer's that sell them. I've been tempted, believe me, but there has alway's been that nagging fear of the old knock on the door, (or door being kicked in I guess I should say.)



Client's could also recieve a visit from the police? I bet that they will move now that you've given them the head's up there, sparky. Thank's for the warning....

Sorry you all got busted folk's. Jail really suck's, and since they put 49 charges on ya, look's like you might as well get used to it. But since possesion of seed's is illegal under Schedule II of the Controlled Drug's and Substances Act, weren't you really breaking the law, and therefore prepared to suffer the consequences of your action's?

And since you committed these action's over an extended period of time, I think that could make the offenses aggravated, which could mean more jail time. Plus, since they have all the documentation from your own record's, you have no defense to present. By your own hand your guilt is proven.

This part really put's the cherry on it though. All the people who ordered from you are guilty of commiting the same offense, and you probably have all that written down, too.

If this was the US, they might even make the case for the RICO act. Racketeering. Where's Shifty when ya need him? Oh well, he'll be back directly...



How long would it take to roll 42 million joint's, I wonder?



The only thing that constitutes a threat to public safety and well-being is a bunch of adrenaline juiced cop's raiding a residence with machine pistol's cocked and locked and ready to go. Ded

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-FROM JOHN F. KENNEDY'S INAUGURAL SPEECH, JANUARY 1961



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gob

I hope that they were good on their word that they kept no computer records of clients and they distroyed correspondence after shipment.

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End Prohibition

Plantguardian

Not to be an ass...
but if you don't take the precautions you know you should take
because you're too lazy or too naively stupid or too whatever...
than the karmic wheel will eventually roll around and bite you in the ass for your reward.

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The more you grow, the more you'll know...

 

THC Fiend

I didn't even know they had computers in Canada. I mean, aren't the RCMP too busy riding their horses to find all that information? I bet troublemaker 42 and Bart Simpson are responsible.

I am under the impression that in most states in the US, cannabis is classified in the Controlled Substances Act (or whatever it's called) in the same category as harder drugs. Correct me, please.

Anyway, in Canada, it's classified as a schedule 2 drug (cannabis and all cannabis products [oil, hash, seeds]). Meaning that penalties for trafficking will not be as severe. I guarantee jail time, sadly, for the guy in charge, and it is likely for the other 6 as well. Even if they tracked down 'buyers', I am confident that jail time will not be an issue. Trust me, the RCMP will not be tracking anyone down in the first place. I remain steadfast in this presumption.


PS... Dedbr, what the **** is with all those apostrophes???
One good thing about this news is that we know that marijuana.com is not at risk. Unless rick is secretely selling some seeds (alliteration).

Damn, my law knowledge seems to be fading with time, but if you have a question regarding Canadian policy I could try my best to answer it.

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brevity is... wit

Buzzby

What I find most amazing about this whole situation is that this is the first news report about an event that occurred a month ago. How can the governments of free societies justify hiding the truth from their citizens like that? Not only did they suppress the news, they suppressed all public record of the arrests. That is tantamount to "disappearing" citizens, something we associate with totalitarian regimes.

How far down that road is Canada willing to go to prosecute its War on Marijuana?

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frenzy420

Does nayone know what just happened to hempcultivation.com? This is certainly scary ****

Higher Logic

Read this regarding HC:

http://www.marijuana.com/420/showthread.php?t=44529

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God's Creation

This has nothing to do with the subject but I thought it should be brought to everyones attention immediately.



I just tried to log on to Hempcultivation.com and read a letter from the creator of the site stating that the site is "no longer".

I'm sure we all we will be informed on the reasons as to why this has taken place. My concern is, or should I say I'm hoping the creator of the site wasn't bullied by someone or something.

What next? Will marijuana.com be next?