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Among residents of the trendy art and design district in Toronto, it was hardly a secret that the bearded man who owned the Bike Clinic on Queen Street was a bit of a renegade. The police had an idea he might be up to no good too. But the day they finally raided his shop brought more than a few surprises. 2,865 of them in fact.
This is the staggering number of bicycles that detectives discovered stashed not just in the shop on two floors but in several other garages that its mysterious owner, Igor Kenk, had rented around the city.
What Mr Kenk seems to have been running all this time was a back-of-a-lorry enterprise the scope of which even Del Boy would have had trouble grasping. He must answer 58 charges of theft and drug possession. Two others have also been charged in connection with the case.
The police were spurred into action when bicycle thefts in Toronto surged in June. They put out bait – a bicycle on the street. Mr Kenk and a friend were seen passing by. The friend was later seen slicing the locks of two other bikes near by.
As he awaits his day in court, the people of Toronto have already given their verdict. Indeed Mr Kenk, who holds a Slovenian passport and has claimed to have worked for the KGB, may be the most hated man in the city. But what about all those bicycles? When the police first raided the Clinic in July they were barred from going inside by the fire department, for safety reasons.
So crammed was the second floor with two-wheelers, that firefighters were obliged to remove the windows and begin lowering bikes one by one to the street with a rope.
Finally, all the models were put inside an old police garage, the doors flung open and people told, “Come and get ’em”. There have been some tearful reunions. But the total reclaimed stands at fewer than 500, so the police are extending public collection until 5 September.
The twists of the case still have folk puzzled. Mr Kenk had seemed to some in the neighbourhood to represent a mostly benign throw-back to times before its gentrification, a man who was known occasionally to offer work to local down-and-outs including outpatients of a nearby mental clinic. He was even to be the subject of a documentary about his corner of Toronto. But then came his arrest and the discovery also of cocaine, crack cocaine and 15lb of marijuana. And he was found to live in one of its most expensive parts of the city, and had a highly esteemed concert pianist as his girlfriend, who also now faces charges.
But the biggest question is this: what in pedalling heaven was he planning to do with so many road-racers? He and his lawyers have claimed variously that he was preparing for an oil-shortage crisis and that he somehow saw himself as a protector of those stolen bicycles.
Or maybe he was simply waiting for the price of metals to rise to have them melted down.
Cannabis worth $40,000 found during search
August 26, 2008, 6:26 pm
Police found cannabis worth almost $40,000 when they searched a Nelson man's home in June.
Matthew Parrott, 34, a jeweller, pleaded guilty to one charge of cultivating cannabis and one charge of possessing the drug when he appeared in Nelson District Court yesterday.
The Nelson Mail reported Parrott could have earned $145,800 a year through the cannabis growing operation found at his Kaiteriteri home, according to police.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer said police found 1814g of very high-quality, or "primo", cannabis head, worth an estimated $19,382, when they searched Parrott's home in June. Another 5669g of lower-quality cannabis , worth about $20,000, was also found.
Defence lawyer Brett Daniell-Smith said Parrott had changed his life as a result of the charges, and there was every possibility he would be eligible for home detention.
Judge Richard Russell remanded Parrott in custody for sentencing on October 7, and told Parrott the likely outcome was a prison term, due to the scale of the operation.
The Nelson Mail reported Parrott could have earned $145,800 a year through the cannabis growing operation found at his Kaiteriteri home, according to police.
Yeah right, they would say that. Poor bastard. I suppose they lining it up for confiscation too.
I'll just post the last paras :
“Drug traffickers are buying or leasing suburban homes and illegally modifying them, usually with jury-rigged electrical wiring and extensive internal irrigation systems, and utilizing substantial amounts of toxic chemicals and fertilizers (which are ultimately either dumped or wind up as byproducts in the municipal sewer and water systems) in order to grow their marijuana."
ASAC Dongilli further stated, "These homes are more readily prone to fires and the mold contamination produced from the cultivation process poses significant health and safety concerns to the community. The unfortunate end result is that these drug dealers collect huge illicit profits and our community banks and other mortgage holders are left with virtually uninhabitable and foreclosed homes."
36 gallons of moonshine, 60 guns and marijuana. Outside the home they found “20 large marijuana plants,” The burner on the still was still warm, he said. Officers seized eight 55-gallon drums of corn mash — the fermenting precursor to moonshine — and a large burner tank. There also were at least two condensation coils on the still,he said. . . .
James Dale Cutshall, 65, of 618 Joe Shelton Road, and neighbor Vernon Tipton, 78, of Mill Creek Road. . . possession and manufacture of nontax-paid alcoholic beverages . . . and Sharon Seay, 35, also of 618 Joe Shelton Road, were each charged with felony manufacture of marijuana; possession of marijuana; possession of paraphernalia; and maintaining a dwelling for the distribution of marijuana.
A Pikesville doctor was convicted yesterday of conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs and cocaine possession after an extensive investigation that included Baltimore County police, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maryland Board of Physicians. Dr. Louis W. Miller, 65, an internist, agreed to write prescriptions for narcotic pain medications for patients - including an undercover detective - who told the doctor they needed the pills only because they were addicted to them, Baltimore County prosecutor John Reilly told a judge in Baltimore County Circuit Court. Investigators found in Miller's office and home glass vials of cocaine, hundreds of pain pills, pill crushers, short plastic straws with white residue, bongs and a wooden pipe containing marijuana residue, according to court documents. As part of a plea agreement, Reilly dropped 10 other charges and will request a sentence of six to 12 months in prison. Defense attorney Joseph Murtha declined to comment after the hearing. Miller, whose medical license was suspended last year after his arrest, is to be sentenced in November.
A GEELONG milk bar owner has admitted selling cannabis to high-school students to see if it was "economically viable". The Belmont milk bar manager yesterday admitted selling cannabis to local school students for $20 a bag.
Geelong Magistrates' Court heard David Nguyen, of Hallam, took orders from Oberon High School students and sold them bags of cannabis in June. The court heard he had bought $250 worth of cannabis in Melbourne. After a tip-off the 29-year-old was arrested after the drugs squad raided the Kidman Avenue milk bar. Police also seized a rock of heroin and cannabis and drug paraphernalia.
Nguyen yesterday pleaded guilty to trafficking a drug of dependence to a child and possessing and using heroin and cannabis. The court heard he told police he began selling drugs to students on a trial basis. "They were asking for it," he said. Magistrate Stephen Myall ordered Nguyen, a father of one, to remain on drug rehabilitation for six months before sentencing in February.
Fifteen people, including a couple of suspected dealers, have been arrested after a major police drugs operation on Auckland's North Shore. Police said the arrests would seriously impact upon a regular supply to cannabis users in the area.
Detective Steve Matheson said those arrested in yesterday's bust were aged from 15 to 58 and included members of three families. He said search warrants were executed at seven suburban homes in Milford, Glenfield, Northcote, and Beach Haven. A man and a woman had been charged with selling and supplying the Class A controlled drug methamphetamine. Thirteen other people face cannabis charges including possession for supply and selling.
"Police have been investigating the illegal activities at these houses for the past two months," Mr Matheson said. "Among the items located at the seven addresses were cannabis tinnies ready for sale and a small volume of cash." Mr Matheson described the outcome as "most satisfying. There's no doubt these arrests will seriously impact upon a regular supply to cannabis users in these suburbs."
Joined: Dec 01, 2003 Posts: 3081 Location: Christchurch, NZ
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:27 pm
Depressing... seeing pot mentioned alongside meth.
I was out talking to voters for a wee while today and several said "everyone should be growing it in their gardens, that would be the quickest way to make it a non-event." As usual it was quite refreshing getting out there to talk with strangers, though none seemed prepared to vote for the ALCP.
Joined: Aug 20, 2006 Posts: 958 Location: h=6.626x10‾34 Mood: sisyphustic
Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:53 am
Quote:
In drug supply cases, personal circumstances did not count for much, as it was viewed as a "vile trade" in the community, Judge McKegg told Parrott.
Parrott was sentenced to two years in jail.
21 people arrested during Operation Knack when two undercover officers, known as Syris Walker and Jamie Williams, spent weeks allegedly buying both cannabis and methamphetamine throughout the region.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4706007a12855.html _________________ IF 25 YEARS OF SMOKING DOPE HAS ADDLED MY BRAIN, I MUST HAVE BEEN AN INTELLECTUAL GIANT IN MY YOUTH ~Tim Shadbolt
Joined: Aug 20, 2006 Posts: 958 Location: h=6.626x10‾34 Mood: sisyphustic
Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:02 am
Speaking of interesting bust stories from around the world, how about the global money system going BUST.
People will HAVE to grow their own. _________________ IF 25 YEARS OF SMOKING DOPE HAS ADDLED MY BRAIN, I MUST HAVE BEEN AN INTELLECTUAL GIANT IN MY YOUTH ~Tim Shadbolt
A Kaiteriteri man who admitted running a sophisticated cannabis-growing operation has been sentenced to two years in jail. Matthew Parrott, 34, jeweller, appeared in the Nelson District Court on Thursday for sentencing, having earlier pleaded guilty to charges of possessing cannabis for supply and cultivating cannabis.
During an earlier court date, police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer said police found 1.814kg of very high-quality cannabis head, worth an estimated $19,382, when they searched Parrott's Kaiteriteri home in June. A further 5.669kg of lower-quality cannabis, worth about $20,000, was also found at the property.
Mr Stringer said three separate growing areas were found in the house, one of which was used as a nursery. It had reflective walls and lights that were set to come on every 12 hours. Three high-yielding "mother plants" used to clone other high-producing plants were found inside, as well as 22 other plants, seeds, and other growing material.
Mr Stringer said the scale of the operation was commercial, and enough cannabis was found to make more than 12,000 joints. Parrott could have earned $145,800 a year from the operation, he said.
However, in court on Thursday, defence lawyer Brett Daniell-Smith said Parrott's operation earned him a living income of only between $30,000 and $40,000 annually. Parrott's cannabis addiction had peaked at up to seven joints a day but had recently reduced, he said. A large part of Parrott's cannabis use was because he was brought up around the drug and started using it at a young age, Mr Daniell-Smith said. "This man didn't have an opportunity to choose where his life was going."
Judge David McKegg accepted that Parrott's upbringing had sparked his drug use, which led to gang involvement and a criminal history that included five earlier drug offences. In the dock, Parrott indicated that he agreed with the judge's comments. Judge McKegg said Parrott moved to Nelson a few years ago to leave the drug scene but had fallen back into it.
In drug supply cases, personal circumstances did not count for much, as it was viewed as a "vile trade" in the community, Judge McKegg told Parrott. "In your case, it was a relatively sophisticated operation." Parrott was sentenced to two years in jail and denied leave to apply for home detention.
The pensioner caught selling cannabis during a major drug bust last month has pleaded guilty. Retired Waitara man Richard Kevin O'Byrne, 66, was one of two people to admit their involvement in selling the class C drug when they appeared in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday.
Tania Maree McLean, 42, unemployed, also of Waitara, admitted two charges of selling cannabis and three charges of possessing the drug for supply. McLean is no stranger to the drug after being convicted and sentenced to a year's jail in 2005 for possessing cannabis with a potential value of $60,000. She had 122 plants growing around her property in full view of the three children at the house.
Yesterday's drug conviction was the first time O'Byrne has appeared before the court. He was one of 21 people arrested during Operation Knack when two undercover officers, known as Syris Walker and Jamie Williams, spent weeks allegedly buying both cannabis and methamphetamine throughout the region. O'Byrne, who has admitted four charges of selling cannabis, was caught after he sold ounce bags to one of the officers. He was also caught selling an ounce of cannabis from his house bus at the Marine Park Motor Camp at Waitara. Each ounce was netting him $275.
McLean was arrested after she sold $25 "tinnies" to one of the undercover police officers from her Waitara home in August. The officer said McLean had up to 10 "tinnies" available in a tin in her kitchen.
Judge Rob Murfitt called for a full pre-sentence report for the pair who were given bail until sentencing on November 26.
Cannabis worth $40,000 found during search
August 26, 2008, 6:26 pm
Police found cannabis worth almost $40,000 when they searched a Nelson man's home in June.
Matthew Parrott, 34, a jeweller, pleaded guilty to one charge of cultivating cannabis and one charge of possessing the drug when he appeared in Nelson District Court yesterday.
The Nelson Mail reported Parrott could have earned $145,800 a year through the cannabis growing operation found at his Kaiteriteri home, according to police.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer said police found 1814g of very high-quality, or "primo", cannabis head, worth an estimated $19,382, when they searched Parrott's home in June. Another 5669g of lower-quality cannabis , worth about $20,000, was also found.
Defence lawyer Brett Daniell-Smith said Parrott had changed his life as a result of the charges, and there was every possibility he would be eligible for home detention.
Judge Richard Russell remanded Parrott in custody for sentencing on October 7, and told Parrott the likely outcome was a prison term, due to the scale of the operation.
Thats interesting.
In Saturdays (11/10) Otago Daily Times Court news (In brief column) there is this little tit bit:
Jeweller grew cannabis Wellington: A Nelson man has been jailed for two years for running a sophisticated cannabis-growing operation
Mathew Parrot(34), jeweller, appeared in Nelson District Court for sentencing yesterday.
At an earlier hearing, police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer said police found 1.814kg of very high-quality cannabis head, worth an estimated $19,382, when they searched Parrott's Kaiteriteri home in June.
The thing is you see is that, if Parrot's hearing was in wellington he would have been named and shamed in the news papers in the wellington Marlborough area? whats the benefit of naming and shaming the poor fella down here in otago?
the second thing is, and it was only a police estimation, is where does the two dollars come from? I mean, tinnies or foils are $20 to $25 fiddies and hundies are self explanatory and ounces are $300 - $350. my point being is shouldn't the estimate have ended in a 5 or a 0?
Re: golden bay.... Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:08 pm
hometoad wrote:
The thing is you see is that, if Parrot's hearing was in wellington he would have been named and shamed in the news papers in the wellington Marlborough area? whats the benefit of naming and shaming the poor fella down here in otago?
As a warning to all New Zealanders?
To drum up business for the new Switched on Gardener in Dunedin by advertising the profitability of growing your own pot?
Maybe you could write a Letter to the Ed of the ODT and ask him your question. It's certainly a question worth asking.
hometoad also wrote:
the second thing is, and it was only a police estimation, is where does the two dollars come from? I mean, tinnies or foils are $20 to $25 fiddies and hundies are self explanatory and ounces are $300 - $350. my point being is shouldn't the estimate have ended in a 5 or a 0?
They probably just wrote down the number that appeared on their calculator.
My estimate of the value would be 1,814g of "primo" divided by 28g per ounce multiplied by $300 per ounce, which equals $19,436 compared to the Police's $19,382 (maybe they used the more accurate 28.3g/ounce).
I'm now up to speed with the maths. My line of thought must make me sound like a dealer.
The way I was looking at was like this, I have, or get caught with (for the sake of argument) 8 and a bit units (ounces, foils, hundies, fiddies whatever). 8 multiplied whatever unit = X which gives you either a 0 or a5 and I keep the bit that gives you the unround number for myself.
Fair comment about the letter to the editor. You wouldn't happen to have the editors email address?
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