[Mb-civic] CBC News - U.S. SEEKS EXTRADITION OF CANADIAN POT CRUSADER

Fri Jul 29 16:05:01 PDT 2005

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U.S. SEEKS EXTRADITION OF CANADIAN POT CRUSADER
WebPosted Fri Jul 29 16:40:03 2005

--- Vancouver police armed with a search warrant have raided a pot-seed
store run by Marc Emery, the head of the B.C. Marijuana Party.

        The warrant was executed on behalf of the U.S. government.

        Emery himself was taken into custody in Halifax.

        The document alleges a conspiracy to produce marijuana and
        distribute seeds as well as alleging money laundering.

"Their activities resulted in the growing of tens of thousands of
marijuana plants in America. He was involved, allegedly, in an illegal
distribution of marijuana in this country [U.S.]. He is a drug dealer,"
assistant U.S. attorney Jeff Sullivan told CBC News.

        Vancouver police officers carried out the raid. As a result Emery
        is out of business.

        Chris Bennett, who works for Emery and was at his office when it
        was raided, says he's angry an American warrant was executed by a
        Canadian police force.

        "They're taking him down to face charges in the United States of
        America. And sentences in America for this kind of thing is so
        much harsher that one would face in Canada," said Bennett.

        American officials are seeking Emery's extradition, which could
        take six months to a year.