Pubdate: Tue, 29 Jan 2008
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2008 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Barb Pacholik, Saskatchewan News Network; Regina Leader-Post
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

GROW-OP EXPECTED TO REAP $3M PROFIT: CROWN

REGINA -- Receipts totalling $64,556 for everything from rototiller
and "Weed Eater" rentals to purchases of lumber and seaweed-molasses
fertilizer were scrutinized Monday at the trial for six men accused of
operating a massive marijuana grow operation.

Along with the receipts, RCMP officers also discovered a coil
notebook, containing handwritten recipes for gingerbread, banana bread
and oatmeal cookies; drawings of a water pumping system; song lyrics
that begin "Turn the bass down baby;" and numbers and dollar figures.

On one page, the unidentified author has written the figures 3,150,000
and $2,000 per pound. Another line has the notation $4 per gram with a
dash to $2,800,000. There's also references to two times per year and
a figure of $6,300,000 and three times per year $9,450,000.

In his opening address last week, Crown prosecutor Darrell Blais said
the evidence will show the accused expected to reap a $3-million
profit from the crop discovered when RCMP raided a site on the Pasqua
First Nation on Aug. 21, 2005.

Lawrence Hubert Agecoutay, 52, Chester Fernand Girard, 59, Nelson
Edward Northwood, 58, Jack Allan Northwood, 55, Joseph Clayton
Agecoutay, 47, and Robert Stanley Agecoutay, 48, are charged with
unlawful production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking between April 1 and Aug. 21, 2005.

RCMP Cpl. Lana Gregoire, who seized the stack of documents, said an
envelope -- with handwriting to indicate expenses totalled $64,556 as
of Aug. 20 -- was discovered inside a teepee. Another envelope
containing receipts was found inside a ceiling tile at the home of
Robert Agecoutay.

The seized documents refer to Lawrence or Larry Agecoutay, Robert or
Bobby Agecoutay, Nelson Northwood, Joseph Agecoutay and "Asina Anana."
Gregoire told the court Anana and Girard are the same person. In
cross-examination, Gregoire agreed the only items she seized that
refer to Jack Northwood were some identification found in a wallet.

A number of the receipts were also made out to the "Anishnabe Nation
of Turtle Island Indian Reserve" -- a name which also appears in
letterhead on other documents seized from the Regina home of Lawrence
Agecoutay. The letterhead states the nation was established Feb. 10,
1763. A document with that letterhead is signed by "Ka Nee Ka Neet,"
who identifies himself as the traditional, inherent chief of the
nation. The address appearing beneath the name is that of Lawrence
Agecoutay.

In other evidence, two employees of the Professional Gardener Company
in Calgary testified that Nelson Northwood placed two orders totalling
$35,464 for greenhouse equipment to be shipped to the Pasqua First
Nation in July and August 2005.

Al Nielsen said shortly after the second order on Aug. 19 was paid
for, Nelson Northwood called to say there had been a change of plans
and he wanted to be reimbursed.

Nielsen said it was followed by phone calls from the RCMP and later
the Receiver General's office. Despite repeated requests from Nelson
Northwood for the money, a cheque for $15,395 (the $17,779 refund less
freight and restocking charges) was sent to the Receiver General to
satisfy a "tax debtor's liability."

The trial, before a judge and jury, continues today.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath