Pubdate: Tue, 06 Oct 2009 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Canwest Publishing Inc. Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Lora Grindlay, The Province Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) CHOPPER PILOT JAILED Kelowna Man, 29, Dubbed 'Sacrificial Lamb' By Lawyer A 29-year-old Kelowna helicopter pilot has been sentenced to almost four years in jail for his part in a cross-border drug-smuggling ring. Jeremy Snow was given the 46-month sentence Friday by Judge Robert Lasnik in Seattle's U.S. District Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (marijuana). Snow was arrested March 5 when he landed a helicopter in the woods of northern Idaho with 79 kilograms of marijuana on board. His arrest came as part of Operation Blade Runner, a joint Canada-U.S. investigation. Just prior to Snow's arrest, Samuel Lindsay-Brown, 24, of Nelson was arrested on Feb. 23 in Ione, Wash., when his helicopter landed and 193 kg of marijuana was seized. Lindsay-Brown committed suicide four days later while in Spokane County Jail. A U.S. court document filed by Snow's lawyer, Richard Troberman, describes Snow as a "sacrificial lamb" who was a student at a commercial helicopter flying school when he was recruited to fly the load after the group's regular pilot refused because of the arrest of Lindsay-Brown. Snow, a father of a seven-year-old daughter, was significantly in debt and was offered a substantial amount of money to fly the load. "After much badgering," he agreed, the document says. When he landed near Priest Lake, Idaho, undercover police and Drug Enforcement Agents were posing as the landing crew. "This was a one-time event, and Mr. Snow was involved in the conspiracy for only two days," said Troberman. The lawyer states Snow has "learned a costly lesson," has shown genuine remorse, has accepted responsibility for his actions and has the love and support of his family. Operation Blade Runner resulted in the arrests of eight Canadians and one American and the seizure of two helicopters, 272 kg of marijuana and 80 kg of cocaine. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D