POT CAFE OWNER RE-ARRESTED OVER ALLEGED BAIL BREACH

VANCOUVER (CP) - The owner of the controversial B.C. cafe where
marijuana is sold, was re-arrested on Thursday on a charge of
breaching her bail conditions.

Carol Gwilt was taken into custody without incident and was due to
appear in provincial court Friday, said Vancouver police spokeswoman
Const. Sarah Bloor

The cafe, Da Kine Food and Beverage, caught the attention of police
after media reports of over-the-counter sales of marijuana.

Police raided the shop on Sept. 9 and arrested Gwilt and seven
employees on charges of possessing marijuana for the purpose of
trafficking.

During the raid, officers seized $63,000, another $1,700 US, nine
kilograms of marijuana, some hashish and 300 cookies baked with hash
or marijuana, officials said.

At one 90-minute period during their surveillance, police said they
saw 230 customers.

They estimate the cafe was doing about $30,000 of business a day, a
figure denied by store operators.

Gwilt was also charged with possessing proceeds from a
crime.

After spending a night in jail, she and the others were released from
custody, pending a further appearance on Oct. 6, on the condition they
stay away from marijuana or any premises, automobile, or person where
marijuana is present.

At the time, provincial court Judge William Kitchen remarked it was
"silly" for them to remain in custody and added that
marijuana-related cases were "not the most dangerous offences."

However, Kitchen warned they could go to jail if caught
again.

Gwilt was back at Da Kine soon after her release and in an interview
with The Vancouver Sun outside the shop on Friday, she vowed that her
business would remain open and continue selling marijuana to people
who use it for medicinal purposes.

Bloor said on Thursday the file on Da Kine was still
active.

"There are still drug trafficking activities inside the cafe," she
said.

More information on the arrest and any further charges will be made
available today, Bloor said.