Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jun 2004
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: The Windsor Star 2004
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Dalson Chen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

JOINT FORCE SEIZES 51 KG OF POT; ONE CHARGE LAID

A joint law enforcement team arrested a Windsor man Tuesday evening
after the seizure of more than 100 pounds of marijuana.

Police said Gozdjen Camaj, 33, was seen loading two hockey style
duffel bags into a rented vehicle in the parking lot of Rookies
Restaurant and Bar near Windsor Airport.

The marijuana was found in the duffel bags, individually packaged in
500-gram pouches. The total weight of the captured drugs is estimated
at 51 kg.

The joint force team, which is part of a continuing operation,
includes members of the RCMP, OPP, and Canada Border Services Agency.

RCMP Const. Annette Bernardon said the origin of the drugs could not
be disclosed due to the continuing investigation, but she did
speculate on the contraband's destination.

"Where it was going would be anyone's guess -- but a good guess would
be the streets of Windsor," she said.

Police estimate the street value of the drugs at about $1 million.

Bernardon said according to officers on the scene, the pot is of good
quality.

"It has a lot of buds in it. Marijuana with buds is usually of really
good quality--it has a high THC level."

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive substance in
marijuana.

Camaj, who resides on Conservation Drive, faces one count of
possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Sources said Camaj was by himself at the time but CBSA spokesman Danny
Yen did not rule out the possibility of future arrests. "No one in
this type of business works alone."

A bartender at Rookies said Camaj is not a regular customer, and the
incident took her by surprise.

"I just looked out the window and saw cars all over. They just
cornered him in our parking lot. There was a lot of cops out there."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin