Pubdate: Thu, 22 Apr 2004
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 North Island Gazette
Contact:  http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

MORE HASH CONVICTIONS

DUNCAN -- Several Cowichan Valley residents are among those convicted last 
week in B.C.'s biggest hashish bust, which involved a boat boarded near 
Port Hardy.

Former Chemainus realtor Ronald Thomson, his brother Kenneth Thompson of 
Maple Bay and Kurt Guillbride of Ladysmith were among nine people convicted 
of conspiracy to import and traffic cannabis resin.

Fourteen people were arrested in the operation, which ended in November 
1998 after a massive 20-month investigation by the RCMP, Canada Customs, 
Canadian Armed Forces, U.S. Customs, U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Drug 
Enforcement Agency and other bodies.

Police seized 12 tonnes of hash, worth an estimated $100 million dollars, 
from a fishing vessel called the Ansare II docked at Fanny Bay and a larger 
ship called the Blue Dawn intercepted by U.S. authorities off Port Hardy.

Sanford Hately, owner of the Blue Dawn; his twin brother Joel Hately; and 
crewmember Ronald Grantare among nine people convicted earlier who are out 
on bail while awaiting sentencing.
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