RCMP TOPPLES DRUG RING, 47 ARRESTED

The RCMP put an end to a major criminal organization involved in smuggling
and exporting marijuana to the United States through Akwesasne. The drug
ring also sold cocaine to various places across Ontario.

The two-year investigation culminated with the execution of search warrants
across Quebec at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13.

The Kanehsatake Mohawk Police, Akwesasne Mohawk Police and the Kahnawake
Peacekeepers assisted the RCMP in the execution of warrants in Kanehsatake
and Akwesasne. The RCMP has reason to believe that this smuggling ring has
ties to the Hell's Angels biker gang. Because three of those arrested have
close ties with gang members.

During this police operation there were 47 people arrested including two
from the Kanehsatake/Oka area and one in Akwesasne. The Peacekeepers role
in this operation was limited to patrolling the perimeter of the operation
within Kanehsatake, Chief Peacekeeper Michael Stalk said.

Arrested in the Kanehsatake/Oka area were Tyron Canatonquin, 32, and
Normand Theoret. While Allan Jacobs, 25, was arrested in Akwesasne and has
been charged with conspiracy to traffic marijuana contrary to the Criminal
Code of Canada.

RCMP has also linked Canatonquin to the seizure of 20 lbs. of marijuana and
150 marijuana plants on December 16, 1999.

The RCMP investigation, code-named Chinoisiere, was centred in the lower
Laurentians and extended to Thunder Bay, Ont. in other related RCMP
investigations across Ontario.

The RCMP, through its investigation, discovered that the group was selling
high quality cocaine across Ontario as far away as Thunder Bay.

The RCMP believe that this cocaine has a street value of $100,000 per
kilogram. During the course of the investigation 10 kilograms of cocaine
was seized with an estimated street value of $1,000,000.

It was also discovered that the marijuana seized was destined to U.S. drug
markets in New York City and as far south as Florida. The high quality
marijuana, known as Quebec Gold, is grown hydroponically in Ontario and
Quebec and is smuggled into the U.S. through Akwesasne.

Over the course of the investigation more than 300 lbs. of Quebec Gold was
seized with an estimated street value of $2,000 to $3,000 per pound.

The drug was smuggled into the United States using cigarettes smuggling
routes in Akwesasne, said RCMP Sergeant Michel Picard.

Picard explained that the drug was transported to Cornwall Island from the
Montreal area. Once it made it to Cornwall Island it was then brought to
the American side of Akwesasne, either by truck or boat.

'They used the same route that is used for cigarettes and booze, but in
reverse,' RCMP Constable Francois Blais said.

The Mohawk police forces in Kanehsatake and Akwesasne were an important
part of this investigation, said Picard. He said that the RCMP and the
Mohawk police exchanged information throughout the investigation. The
Kanehsatake and Akwesasne police provided the RCMP with information on
their residents who were involved in drug trafficking.

The RCMP say they have been aware of this crime ring since 1992, who were
then involved in the cigarette trade. The RCMP believes that this is the
largest organization of its kind and with the recent arrests think they put
an end to it. Usually such drug rings import drugs from the U.S. rather
than export them, said the RCMP.

The RCMP seized $777,000 worth of goods as goods gained through the
proceeds of crime. Included in this seizure was a home in Mirabel, five
vehicles and three Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Also seized was $400,000, $333,500 US, 10 kg of cocaine, 2,150 marijuana
plants, more than 300 lbs. of marijuana and nine vehicles, three of which
were altered to hide drugs.

Of the 47 arrests, 19 were in Quebec and all appeared in St. Jerome Court
on Wednesday, June 14. The accused face various charges including
conspiracy to traffic marijuana and cocaine as well as possession and
production.