Feds Say Medical Marijuana Clubs Were a Front June 24, 2005
News Summary
Medical-marijuana clubs operating in the San Francisco Bay area were a front for international drug dealing and money laundering, federal law-enforcement officials say.The New York Times reported June 24 that in the first big crackdown since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state laws could not protect medical-marijuana users from federal prosecution, Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided a series of medical-marijuana dispensaries and made 21 arrests.
Federal officials accused Vince Ming Wan of San Francisco of heading a multimillion-dollar marijuana and Ecstasy trafficking ring, with three medical-marijuana clubs used as a front. Other arrestees were charged with offenses ranging from money laundering to conspiracy to produce and sell illicit drugs.
"We're not talking about ill people who may be using marijuana," said U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan. "We're talking about a criminal enterprise engaged in the widespread distribution of large amounts -- millions of dollars, if you base it on historical evidence -- of marijuana and other drugs, and money laundering their proceeds from these activities."
An affidavit in the case said that suspect Enrique Chan, 26, detailed how the clubs were used to sell marijuana to non-medical users and how the medical-marijuana issue could shield sellers from conviction. "You'll get busted, but you remember, you got to beat the prosecution in court," Chan allegedly an undercover agent. "So 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 try, is gonna convict you."
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE: