Pubdate: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 Source: London Free Press (CN ON) Copyright: 2004 The London Free Press Contact: http://www.lfpress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243 Author: Canadian Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Da+Kine Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) JUDGE FREES STAFF OF MARIJUANA CAFE VANCOUVER -- After spending a night in jail, the seven employees and the operator of a cafe that has been openly selling marijuana have been released. Provincial court Judge William Kitchen remarked it was "silly" for them to remain in jail. The arrests were made after Vancouver police seized 20 pounds of marijuana, a pound of hashish and $63,000 in cash in Thursday night's raid on Da Kine, which senior police officials characterized as a significant drug house. Da Kine operator Carol Gwilt and her seven staff members are scheduled to appear again in Vancouver provincial court Oct. 6 on charges of possessing marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. Gwilt was also charged with possessing proceeds from a crime. A hearing into the cafe's business licence is scheduled at Vancouver city hall on the same day as the court appearance. The judge warned the group they would go to jail if they offend again. "Next time, I'll hold you in jail," Kitchen said. "It seems pretty silly to be held in jail these days for possession of marijuana." Investigators counted more than 230 visitors to the business within an hour and a half during their surveillance, said Insp. Dave Nelmes, head of the Vancouver police drug section. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake