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Canada/ US: Mohawk Reserve, Asian Crime Organization, sneak Drugs, Money, Guns thru Mohawk Land
Opinion
Barry Artiste
Mohawk Territory, like other First Nations Territories across Canada enjoy the rights of tax free cigarettes and Gas, a favourite place for tourists crossing the border to stop by and pick up a tankful of gas or a few cartons of smokes. Though you require a status card, for a price, you can enjoy sticking it to the Taxman, if only occasionally. Though I may not agree with morally, I can certainly understand the predicament most First Nations face trying to make a few bucks.
Asian Criminal Organizations on the other hand taking full advantage of a large border loophole, smuggling unbeknown to a large population of Mohawk residents, sneaking through sovereign Native territory like Rats in the dead of night with their millions in drugs, guns and money, deserve no quarter, and should be charged big time.
Certainly some of the residents of Mohawk Territory in the Canada and US border were shocked, though not surprised that Asian Organized Crime was using their territory to sneak across two countries borders. Like Border Reserves, Canada and the US have many open border crossings that are no more than cow pastures, delineated by a farm fence or traffic median.
It should be noted Asian Criminal Organizations who were charged in the Money, Drugs and Gun smuggling took full advantage of an ongoing problem Reserves have, poverty, and the draw money brings to those who have none, may have had someone turn a blind eye to vehicles driving through their sovereign territory late at night.
Let's hope after time served our federal government has the Testicles to deport them immediately back to their mother countries, as most I surmise are new Canadians who feel Canada and the US are better Money Making Opportunities versus their own country.
Certainly a slap in the face to Canada and the USA, whose generous nature allowing them to come to both our great countries, pay us back like this.
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndRegion/2008/08/28/6593671-sun.html
27 popped in pot probe 230 charges in case of drugs moving through Mohawk land
By KENNETH JACKSON, SUN MEDIA
Police have busted an "impressive" marijuana drug network that allegedly trafficked dope into the U.S. and generated profits believed to have been used to set up legitimate local businesses to launder the money.
The undercover operation, involving Mounties, OPP and Ottawa police, resulted in 230 charges ranging from drug trafficking to money laundering against 27 people, including the alleged ring leader, Maurice Chan, 38, who police say is the head of an Ottawa-based Asian criminal organization. Drugs seized over the course of the investigation has been pegged at more than $4.5 million, and assets valued at more than $460,000, including homes.
20 HOMES RAIDED
Police said Project Scarecrow started April 2007 and most of the dope was smuggled through the Akwesasne reserve and reached "all the way to Asia."
The drugs were also shipped to North Bay, Toronto and Montreal, as well as other Ontario towns. Police said the group was involved "in money laundering operations in which proceeds were transferred through the United States of America, into Canada, and Vietnam."
Police raided 20 homes in the city, Alexandria and Akwesasne on Tuesday morning. Police said the Asian organization busted in the raids relied on eight residential pot grow operations in the city which have since been "eliminated." ---
PROJECT SCARECROW PREY
Ottawa residents charged: - 1. Ha Huong Bui -- 32 charges.
- 2. Mai Anh Vu -- 13 charges.
- 3. Duc Hoan Bui -- 21 charges.
- 4. Maurice Chan -- 10 charges (alleged ring leader)
- 5. Todd Crowe -- 4 charges.
- 6. Andre Aubin -- 6 charges.
- 7. Manh Dung Vu -- 6 charges
- 8. Xuan Hoa Le -- 4 charges.
- 9. Tich Sin Mac -- 28 charges
- 10. Quang Phu Tran -- 8 charges
- 11. Nhiem Pham -- 12 charges
- 12. Thi Thuy Nga Nguyen -- 8 charges
- 13. Cuong Manh Bui -- 3 charges
- 14. Van Thanh Nguyen -- 6 charges
- 15. Tung Do -- 4 charges
- 16. Josie Lynn Lafontaine -- 6 charges
- 17. Hoang Bao Diep -- 2 charges
August 28, 2008 at 04:54 am by Barry Artiste, 628 views, 16 comments
Crowd Power
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Barry Artiste
Vancouver, Canada







Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (16)
at 06:17 on August 28th, 2008
"Let's hope after time served our federal government has the Testicles to deport them immediately back to their mother countries,"
We are talking about Canada right? I wouldn't hold your breath!
- reply
24 (not verified)at 20:52 on August 28th, 2008
i agree. they wouldnt and SHOULDNT be sent back to their mother countries .. if they even were wrong.. they dont deserve that.. u wouldnt know how much they go through too be where they are.. or well to liveee in canada.. coming to canada as boat people. and plus... this whole this is stupid dragging some people into this when they arentt even guilty of anything just because they are close friends with some peopl dont mean u are doing illegal thigs. stupid.
at 06:55 on August 29th, 2008
If they are found guilty then they should be deported back to their home country. Why should the Canadian tax payer have to flip the bill to incarcerate these criminals for however long their sentence is? It cost over $110,000 per year to keep a person behind bars. Canada has it's own criminal element to contend with without inviting more.
If these "boat people" go through so much to get here than that alone, if nothing else, should persuade them to 'keep their nose clean'.
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Devil's Advocat (not verified)at 17:21 on August 29th, 2008
Actually 24, you are disagreeing with deportation. It's true, Vietnam definately is not the kind of place you would want to go to face criminal charges, however under Canadian laws, trafficking large quantities of narcotics WILL get you in trouble. Why play the game if can't take the pain? They were not dumb criminals! On a lighter note: marijuana has proven medicinal purposes (ie: marinol, cannibus in pill form helps cancer patients combat feelings of nausea while on chemo, and can also act as an appetite stimulant in similar circumstances where patients do not feel hungry). C'mon fellas, this was a "weed" matter, not murder. Criminals with less charges should get less penalty.
at 06:18 on August 28th, 2008
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 19:11 on August 30th, 2008
We can only Hope Mike, our government acts, it is not just a weed matter, when guns are involved and other illegal acts, but thanks everyone for your commentsm and thanks for your comments and flag Mike
at 06:36 on August 28th, 2008
One thing you left out: the Mohawk Peace Keepers (police force) have been totally involved with those anti-smuggling operations. The tax issue is one of sovereignty and treaty rights, and is substantial. The "morality" is in understanding and honoring sovereignty and treaty rights, and also in presenting an entire story--the Mohawk involvment in rooting crime out of their lands.
The important thing is that the Mohawks do not want these international smugglers on their lands, and they work themselves, and as part of joint operations, at great risks, to catch the smugglers. You also didn't note that the Mohawk lands in many areas contain waterways and large tracts of undeveloped lands that aren't monitored like urban areas with cameras, so anti-smuggling work is darned hard work.
The Mohawks themselves do not condone smuggling. Do some Mohawks, just like some Anglos, some Hispanics, some blacks, some Asians, some (fill in the blank) sometimes get into crime and get arrested? Yes. But smuggling is against Mohawk law and culture.
This isn't a Mohawk problem. It's an international crime problem, the same type of crime problem you'll find just about everywhere.
at 07:03 on August 28th, 2008
Well put, thanks Pep, having worked with more than a few Tribal Police forces, it is a difficult task in you cannot be everywhere at once.
at 06:49 on August 28th, 2008
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 07:04 on August 28th, 2008
Thanks Mikasi for the flag and dropping, much appreciated.
at 07:33 on August 28th, 2008
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 08:25 on August 28th, 2008
Thanks Altrugon for the flag and dropping by and flagging this story
at 09:56 on August 28th, 2008
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 15:53 on August 28th, 2008
Thanks Moon for the visit and the flag
at 17:08 on August 28th, 2008
Thanks for the heads up.....I would have been waiting all night at the underground tunnel !!! (for you government agents watching my correspondence...that was a JOKE!!!)
at 19:46 on August 28th, 2008
HA, thanks for the laugh Groove.