Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jun 2005
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Eric Bailey, and John M. Glionna, Times Staff Writers
Note: Glionna reported from San Francisco and Bailey from Sacramento.
Cited: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (www.norml.org )
Cited: Marijuana Policy Project ( www.mpp.org )
Cited: Drug Enforcement Administration ( www.dea.gov )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

19 CHARGED IN ALLEGED DRUG RING

Indictments say three San Francisco medical marijuana dispensaries
were used as a front for a $5-million illegal global enterprise.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Federal authorities released indictments Thursday
charging 19 people with running a $5-million international drug ring
that used three medical marijuana dispensaries here as a front.

In San Francisco, where dozens of cannabis clubs have thrived since
California legalized the drug as medicine, officials declared that the
busts would not undermine the city's role as a haven for medical
marijuana users.

The indictments came as the result of a two-year investigation by U.S.
drug agents into a network that allegedly cultivated at least 17,000
marijuana plants, trafficked in Ecstasy and engaged in money
laundering and international bulk cash smuggling.

"We're not talking about ill people using marijuana," said Kevin Ryan,
the U.S. attorney in San Francisco. "We're talking about a widespread
criminal enterprise."

But medical marijuana advocates said it remained unclear whether the
bust was the start of a renewed campaign by U.S. drug agents against
pot dispensaries.

"I hope it's an anomaly," said Allen St. Pierre, executive director of
the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

At the very least, "this is certainly a sign that the DEA is watching
people who use medical marijuana," said Bruce Mirken, a Marijuana
Policy Project spokesman.

Javier Pena, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's special agent
in charge of the San Francisco office, declined to link the bust to a
renewed campaign against dispensaries.

He said, however, that a message had been sent to purveyors of
medicinal pot.

"Some of us in the public think they can disregard the courts and
Congress on this matter," Pena said. "The DEA will not be among them."

San Francisco has struggled in recent months to rein in a
proliferating collection of storefront medicinal pot dispensaries,
which number about 35. Some local leaders, though supportive of
cannabis patients, have called for a reduction to as few as eight clubs.

But Thursday, city leaders talked of San Francisco remaining a bulwark
of support for California's medical marijuana law, which directly
conflicts with U.S. statutes prohibiting cannabis use for any purpose.

Matt Dorsey, a spokesman for the city attorney, told a crowd of 75
patients and pot activists on the steps of City Hall that medical
marijuana remained legal in the state. San Francisco officials, he
said, "absolutely respect" the rights of the ill to engage in "the
compassionate use of cannabis."

In the indictments released Thursday, three people were charged with
possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy, and two others were
charged with intent to commit money laundering. An arrest warrant was
issued for another man in connection with the case.

Each count of conspiracy to cultivate marijuana carries a mandatory
minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, while conspiring to distribute
Ecstasy can bring up to 20 years.

A money-laundering conviction can result in 20 years along with a
$500,000 fine, authorities said.

The three cannabis clubs involved in the raid, authorities said, were
a key part of the ring.

A criminal complaint filed in the case contains alleged statements
made to an undercover drug officer by Enrique Chan, owner of one
dispensary targeted in the bust.

Chan estimated to agent Pena that only about half the patients had
legitimate medical need.

To wrest free of legal squabbles, according to the affidavit, Chan
said he hired several criminal defense attorneys, including famed drug
lawyer Tony Serra and former San Francisco Dist. Atty. Terrence Hallinan.

"If I get busted for weed here, I'll take these patients to court," he
allegedly said. "If it comes down to a battle in court, what are you
gonna do? You're going to bring patients in court, like really sick
patients with cancer, have them sit on the stand for you. And no jury
is gonna   convict you."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake