Pubdate: Wed, 26 May 2004 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Steve Berry, CanWest News Service NINE DRUG TRAFFICKERS HANDED PRISON TERMS Nine people convicted in one of B.C. largest hashish busts in raids at Fanny Bay and off Port Hardy have received sentences ranging from six years to two years in prison. The eight who appeared in Vancouver provincial court Tuesday -- seven men and a woman -- stood grim-faced as Judge Elizabeth Arnold read her sentences. A ninth man, Wolfgang Fitznar, has disappeared with his family. The nine were arrested when the RCMP swooped on two ships in November 1998 and seized 12 metric tonnes of hash worth an estimated $46 million. Arnold said she took into account that the courts have been reducing the severity of sentences for cannabis offences and that Parliament has discussed reducing the penalties for simple possession. "In my view, cannabis is now accepted to be less harmful than previously thought," she said. But, she added, she also had to protect society from "middle-aged" criminals who decide to reap large profits from cannabis importation or grow operations without paying taxes. The court case began April 17, 2001, and saw 104 witnesses and 344 exhibits. Sanford Hately, 56, was given six years for being the "most culpable" as the captain of the mother ship which carried the hash half way around the world. Kurt Guilbride, 49, and Wolfgang Fitznar each received five years. Sylvie Goyer, 48, the ring's chief communicator, got four years. Ron Thomson, 46, received four years because of his involvement in planning and operations. Richard Farrington, 44, received three years, six months for his part in the off-loading of the hash as did Ronald Grant, 57, for being a crewman on the mother ship. Ken Thomson, 49, and Joel Hately, 56, the twin brother of Sanford Hately, each received two years, six months. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake