Pubdate: Wed, 31 Oct 2001
Source: Cranbrook Daily Townsman (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 The Cranbrook Daily Townsman
Contact:  http://www.dailytownsman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/723
Author: Dean Bassett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

'50,000 JOINTS' TAKEN OFF THE STREETS

A routine Counter Attack Road Check last weekend nipped a substantial 
marijuana operation in the bud.

Cranbrook RCMP spokesman Eric Ausman said officers pulled over a grey 2001 
Pontiac Grand Am with Manitoba license plates just before 8 p.m. on Oct. 
26. "The officer checking the vehicle detected a strong smell of what he 
thought was marijuana coming from inside," Ausman said. "A subsequent 
search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 10 pounds 
(4.8 kilograms) of cultivated marijuana."

Police charged three people in connection with the bust - 21-year-old Mark 
Allen Klassen of Pinawa, Manitoba, 31-year-old Shannon Pahara, of Coaldale, 
Alberta and 27-year-old Signe Katherine Knutson (no fixed address).

All three appeared in the Cranbrook Law Courts on Monday and were held in 
custody until their next court appearance scheduled for Nov. 1. The trio 
face several charges including unlawful possession of Cannabis (marijuana) 
as well as possession of Cannabis in an amount exceeding three kilograms 
for the purpose of trafficking.

Unlawful possession of marijuana carries a range of punishments. The 
maximum fine for a first time offender is $1,000 or $2,000 for repeat 
offences. Jail time can range from a maximum six month term for a first 
offence and up to five years for more serious offences.

Trafficking in marijuana (in excess of three kilograms) carries a much 
stiffer maximum penalty. A person found guilty of this offence face a life 
sentence behind bars.

"The seizure effectively took as many as 50,000 marijuana joints off the 
streets," Ausman said. "Any seizure like this is significant because it 
keeps the drugs off the street and lowers its availability.

"Reducing the drug's availability on the street is the important issue as 
it may make the difference by preventing a teen from trying it for the 
first time," Ausman said. "We are all well aware of the fact that youth 
make up the largest percentage of marijuana users."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager