Pubdate: Wed, 02 Oct 2002
Source: Stockport Express (UK)
Contact:  http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/news/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1564
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

CANANBIS CONMAN

Cannabis conman Colin Davies has today (Wednesday) been found guilty of 
international drug trafficking.

The boss of Britain's first cannabis cafe sold the drug with coffee, 
claiming it was for medicinal purposes for people who needed pain relief.

In reality, The Dutch Experience cafe was a smokescreen. A jury at Minshull 
Street Crown Court took four hours deliberation before finding him guilty 
of trafficking narcotics between Holland and Dover, on top of a number of 
other drug-related offences.

Davies, 44, of Romney Tower, Reddish is now to be sentenced at a later date.

He - along with 13 others - was arrested in a police raid in September last 
year, following a public display of flouting drug laws at the Reddish cafe.

Soon after customs seized 18,000 pounds of cannabis at Dover connected to 
Davies.

A raid on Davies' home found 90 grammes of cannabis and UKP 3,000 in cash 
at a time when he was claiming just over UKP 50 per week disability allowance.

Davies was found guilty of importing drugs, being concerned with the supply 
of drugs, possession with intent and permitting the premises to be used for 
smoking cannabis. He'd denied all charges.

Others in court included:

Stephen Caveney, 47, of Rishworth Close, Offerton has been convicted of 
possessing cannabis with intent.

Robin Wright, 45, of Duncan Road, Longsight was found guilty of permitting 
premises to be used for smoking the drug.

Andrew Young, 30, of Reddish Road, Stockport, and Phillip Rainford, 34, of 
Millgate, Stockport were acquitted of drugs charges.

While awaiting trial, Davies has become a figurehead for legalise dope 
campaigners.

Davies first hit the headlines in 1998 when he claimed to take marijuana to 
combat pain following a fall three years earlier. He was acquitted of 
unlawful possession.

He then set up a nationwide 'cannabis co-operative' which involved him 
selling the drug to other members. He was subsequently charged but cleared 
again.

In 2000, he hit the national headlines when he gave a bouquet of marijuana 
to the Queen during her visit to Salford's Lowry centre.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager