Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Federal drug agents are seeking civil forfeiture of two houses in northern California's Emerald Triangle marijuana-growing region, alleging they were bought with the proceeds from marijuana illegally sold in New York and Georgia.
The filings show that while federal authorities have said they will respect state laws legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, they will continue to prosecute cases involving drug sales in other states.
The Mail Tribune reports that court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Medford, Oregon, say agents found marijuana in a house outside McKinleyville, California, and another house in Salyer, California.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents also allege that $2 million in cash was deposited in banks in New York and Georgia, and withdrawn by one of the house owners in Oregon. Deposits were under $10,000, so the depositors did not have to show picture identification.
No criminal charges have been filed.
Based on interviews with the two house owners, agents said in court documents that Jonathan Quaccia, owner of the McKinleyville house, was the lead grower, and that Matthew Correa of Phoenix, Oregon, bought the other house at Quaccia's direction. Agents said Correa's job was to recruit people to open bank accounts in New York and Georgia and deposit cash in small amounts from marijuana sales. Correa withdrew cash in Oregon and delivered it to Quaccia. He also sold marijuana he grew to Quaccia.
Title records showed that Quaccia bought the McKinleyville house for $340,470 with a mortgage, and Correa bought the Sayler house for $102,530 with a mortgage. Search warrants were served on the two houses, as well as one in Phoenix, Oregon, where Correa lived with his mother. Agents seized marijuana plants in the hundreds at all three houses; pounds of dried marijuana at each of the two California houses; and a 2010 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck at the McKinleyville house.
Quaccia's lawyer, Robert Stone, declined comment on the allegations. Correa's lawyer, Donald Scales, did not return a phone call for comment.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Feds seek seizure of houses where pot found in California - ContraCostaTimes.com
Author: The Associated Press
Contact: ccnnewsrelease@bayareanewsgroup.com
Photo Credit: Carter Williams
Website: Walnut Creek Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic - ContraCostaTimes.com
The filings show that while federal authorities have said they will respect state laws legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, they will continue to prosecute cases involving drug sales in other states.
The Mail Tribune reports that court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Medford, Oregon, say agents found marijuana in a house outside McKinleyville, California, and another house in Salyer, California.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents also allege that $2 million in cash was deposited in banks in New York and Georgia, and withdrawn by one of the house owners in Oregon. Deposits were under $10,000, so the depositors did not have to show picture identification.
No criminal charges have been filed.
Based on interviews with the two house owners, agents said in court documents that Jonathan Quaccia, owner of the McKinleyville house, was the lead grower, and that Matthew Correa of Phoenix, Oregon, bought the other house at Quaccia's direction. Agents said Correa's job was to recruit people to open bank accounts in New York and Georgia and deposit cash in small amounts from marijuana sales. Correa withdrew cash in Oregon and delivered it to Quaccia. He also sold marijuana he grew to Quaccia.
Title records showed that Quaccia bought the McKinleyville house for $340,470 with a mortgage, and Correa bought the Sayler house for $102,530 with a mortgage. Search warrants were served on the two houses, as well as one in Phoenix, Oregon, where Correa lived with his mother. Agents seized marijuana plants in the hundreds at all three houses; pounds of dried marijuana at each of the two California houses; and a 2010 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck at the McKinleyville house.
Quaccia's lawyer, Robert Stone, declined comment on the allegations. Correa's lawyer, Donald Scales, did not return a phone call for comment.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Feds seek seizure of houses where pot found in California - ContraCostaTimes.com
Author: The Associated Press
Contact: ccnnewsrelease@bayareanewsgroup.com
Photo Credit: Carter Williams
Website: Walnut Creek Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic - ContraCostaTimes.com
