Pubdate: Fri, 07 Sep 2001
Source: State, The (SC)
Copyright: 2001 The State
Contact:  http://www.thestate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/426
Author: Lora Hines
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MARIJUANA DEALERS GET PROBATION IN PLEA DEAL

Three New Yorkers charged with trafficking $1.1 million 
inhigh-powered marijuana last week got probation Thursday in a plea 
bargain. Prosecutor Alex Postic said he recommended probation because 
the trio accepted responsibility for what they did and none has a 
criminal record.

In a news conference announcing their arrests, Richland County 
Sheriff Leon Lott described them as big drug dealers.

Lott could not be reached Thursday.

Paul James Quarcini, 22, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana 
with intent to distribute and was sentenced to two years probation, a 
$1,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.

Christina L. Nablo, 23, and Frank Edward Fiori, 26, pleaded to 
possession of marijuana and each was sentenced to two years 
probation, community service and a $500 fine.

The group will be allowed to serve out the probation in Niagara Falls, N. Y.

"There was one major player and the other two were along for the 
ride," the prosecutor said.

Quarcini could serve a five-year prison sentence if he fails to 
follow the terms of his probation. Nablo and Fiori each could serve 
six months if they don't complete probation.

Deputies arrested the three Aug. 27 in a Richland Northeast motel 
after getting a tip, Postic said. Deputies found a duffel bag with 35 
pounds of marijuana in the motel room, he said.

Attorney Robert Rikard, who represented the three, told Judge Casey 
Manning that his clients are first-time offenders.

Quarcini works construction and supports his disabled mother, Rikard 
said. Nablo, the daughter of factory workers, is a restaurant server, 
and Fiori, whose parents are retired, works at a nursery.

"They are fist-time offenders who come from working-class families," 
Rikard said. "They immediately cooperated."

He said he doesn't think the three are involved in a bigger drug conspiracy.

The marijuana was "hydro" marijuana from Canada, Lott said last week. 
Hydro marijuana has a high concentration of tetrahydro-cannabinol, 
also called THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, Lott said.

Lott, a former narcotics agent, said he had never seen this kind of marijuana.
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