silentwolf
03-01-2006, 06:47 AM
After a month of hearing all kind of speculations about what could have happened to overgrow.com, finally there is an official press release by the authorities...
THE RCMP DISMANTLES AN INTERNATIONAL DRUG DISTRIBUTION NETWORK ON THE INTERNET
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/comm/2006/fev06/060228a_e.htm
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 s 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.
For further information: Communications Office, (514) 939-8308
On this site there's a news video on the arrests;
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060228/rcmp_drugring_060228/20060228?hub=Canada
THE RCMP DISMANTLES AN INTERNATIONAL DRUG DISTRIBUTION NETWORK ON THE INTERNET
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/comm/2006/fev06/060228a_e.htm
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 s 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.
For further information: Communications Office, (514) 939-8308
On this site there's a news video on the arrests;
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060228/rcmp_drugring_060228/20060228?hub=Canada