Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jul 2005
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Brad Badelt, The Vancouver Sun

'PRINCE OF POT' ARRESTED

VANCOUVER - Vancouver police raided a marijuana-seed business run by the 
leader of B.C.'s Marijuana party under a request from the U.S. government 
yesterday, while angry protesters outside chanted anti-American slogans.

Marc Emery, 47, who was referred to as the "Prince of Pot" on the search 
warrant, was arrested in Halifax the same day. He is charged in the U.S. 
with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to distribute marijuana 
seeds and conspiracy to engage in money laundering.

Gregory Keith Williams, 50, and Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek, 34, who are 
alleged to be Mr. Emery's business partners, were also arrested in Vancouver.

The search warrant included all records pertaining to the seed-selling 
business, Marc Emery Direct, including client lists, invoices and employee 
records from as a far back as September 1995.

Police took down storefront signs and covered the windows with paper, while 
pro-marijuana protesters chanted "Go Home U.S.A., Go Home U.S.A." and 
banged on makeshift drums on the sidewalk.

"This is a place where people could pull out a joint and not have to fear 
being reported to the police, and that was OK with Canadians," said 
marijuana activist David Malmo-Levine.

The search was requested by the U.S. government through the Mutual 
Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, Canadian legislation that was enacted 
in 1985.

U.S. authorities say the search warrant and arrests are the result of an 
18-month investigation into Mr. Emery's international seed-selling business.

Mr. Emery's lawyer John Conroy, had not spoken with his client yet, but 
said he expects an extradition hearing.
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