Pubdate: Wed, 31 Oct 2007
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Page: B - 2
Copyright: 2007 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Henry K. Lee
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)

HAYWARD - MEDICAL-POT BROTHERS HELD ON DRUG CHARGES

Two East Bay brothers were arrested Tuesday after being indicted by a 
federal grand jury on charges that they ran a large-scale drug 
operation from a Hayward medical marijuana club from which proceeds 
were delivered to a bank by armored car, authorities said.

Winslow Norton, 26, of Lafayette and his brother, Abraham Norton, 23, 
of Oakland, who together ran the Compassionate Patients' Cooperative 
on the 21000 block of Mission Boulevard in Hayward, were taken into 
custody during raids by the Drug Enforcement Administration and other 
law enforcement agencies. They are being held without bail.

The Norton brothers were indicted on charges of conspiracy to 
distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, distribution of 
marijuana, maintaining drug-involved premises, conspiracy to launder 
money, and money laundering.

The brothers used drug proceeds to purchase luxury items and 
properties, including two new Mercedes-Benzes, a new Ford F-250 
truck, three new motorcycles, a home in Lafayette and a commercial 
building in Albany. Both Mercedeses were seized, as well as the two buildings. 
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