Pubdate: Wed, 16 May 2007
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Jason van Rassel, Calgary Herald
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

NINE CHARGED OVER DRUG RAID SEIZURES

Police Conduct Four-Month Investigation

Drug investigators have charged nine people and four businesses in 
connection with drugs and paraphernalia seized in a series of raids in March.

The four-month undercover investigation by Calgary police targeted 
businesses allegedly selling otherwise legal goods knowing they would 
be used for drug consumption.

"We have a high-density area of drug use downtown and they're 
providing the tools so that addicts can continue their addiction," 
said Staff Sgt. Monty Sparrow of the drug unit.

The owner of one convenience store maintained Tuesday that his 
business is doing nothing wrong.

"They're picking on us," said Nasir Hasan of Hop In Hop Out at 123 
7th Ave. S.W.

Several shops across the city sell the same kinds of products and 
haven't been subject to the same sanction, Hasan said.

"I asked them, and they all display their stuff like this," Hasan 
said, waving his hand over a small display case holding several small pipes.

Hop In Hop Out, Hasan, 41, and Rizwan Syed Haider, 45, are each 
charged with two counts of selling an instrument for illegal drug use.

Four doors to the east, police also raided Canadian Convenience and 
Gift Store and charged its owners.

Aslam Mohammed, 38, was charged with two counts of selling an 
instrument for illicit drug use. Nippon International Ltd. and Aftab 
Hussain, 37, have each been charged with one count.

Police said they seized about 3,000 pipes in the operation, with all 
but 100 coming from Boodlum Boutique, 109A 8th Ave. S.W., and Bongs 
and Such, 4829 Macleod Tr.

Investigators also alleged Boodlum had 3.6 kilograms of marijuana, 
500 marijuana joints, 135 grams of hashish and 45 grams of marijuana oil.

Boodlum's longtime location on Stephen Avenue Walk is now vacant and 
the owners weren't available for comment.

Michael Douglas Chapman, 31, has been charged with two counts of 
possession for the purpose of trafficking and three counts of selling 
an instrument for illicit drug use. Roderick John Chapman, 64, and 
Boodlum Boutique Variety Sales Ltd. have each been charged with one 
count of selling an instrument for illicit drug use.

Bongs and Such has been charged with one count of selling an 
instrument for illicit drug use, along with William Stewart Hillis, 
30, Maria Lauritsen, 29, and Nick Lauritsen, 29. Cory Matthew 
Gaudette, 25, was charged with two counts of the same offence.

Staff of the Macleod Trail store refused comment.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman