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USA: un lieutenant québécois du «roi du pot» condamné à New York

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paissePatrick Paissé, un trafiquant de Blainville, considéré comme l’un des principaux lieutenants du caïd lavallois Jimmy Cournoyer, surnommé le «roi du pot», vient d’écoper de quatre ans de pénitencier, à New York.

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Patrick Paissé, 41 ans, de Blainville, est devenu le troisième Québécois condamné à une peine d’incarcération dans l’enquête sur ce réseau qui a écoulé pour un milliard de dollars de marijuana dans l’État de New York pendant 14 ans.
Patrick Paissé, surnommé «Jambe de bois» — ou Peg leg en anglais — par ses complices, en référence à la prothèse qu’il porte, a reçu sa sentence le 30 avril dernier, a appris Le Journal.

Mario «Diego» Racine, 33 ans, de Laval, demeure le seul Québécois toujours en attente de procès dans cette enquête des policiers américains de la Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) qui avait permis une centaine d’arrestations.

Détenu aux États-Unis depuis un an et demi à la suite de son extradition du Canada, Paissé, 41 ans, s’était reconnu coupable d’une accusation de complot pour importation de marijuana.

Rôle « crucial »

L’enquête de la DEA a notamment établi qu’entre 2002 et 2005, Paissé a orchestré l’envoi hebdomadaire d’environ 50 kg de marijuana dans l’État de New York, en provenance du Québec.

Paissé avait d’abord rencontré un distributeur américain à l’hôtel Delta de Montréal et ce dernier lui avait payé 100 000 $ pour une première cargaison de 20 kg de cannabis.

Réseau infiltré

«Les profits étaient énormes», mentionne le procureur fédéral Steven Tiscione dans les documents de cour.

La drogue traversait la frontière par la réserve amérindienne d’Akwesasne, et le réseau comptait sur l’aide des Hells Angels pour l’acheminer à destination.

Paissé a cependant connu des ennuis, notamment après s’être fait voler une livraison de 600 livres de marijuana.

Puis, le distributeur avec lequel il faisait affaire et des «courriers» de l’organisation se sont fait épingler par la DEA et ont décidé de collaborer à l’enquête.

► En août dernier, son ancien patron, Jimmy Cournoyer, avait été condamné à une peine exemplaire de 27 ans de pénitencier. Alessandro Taloni, un Montréalais proche du clan Rizzuto et impliqué dans une filière de cocaïne du réseau, a aussi écopé de dix ans d’incarcération dans cette affaire, l’an dernier.

Éric Thibault
Éric Thibault

Vendredi, 22 mai 2015 19:36 MISE à JOUR Samedi, 23 mai 2015 00:45

source: http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2015/05/22/un-lieutenant-quebecois-du-roi-du-pot-condamne-a-new-york
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DEA: saisie record d’héroïne à New York

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« Cette cargaison était si importante qu'elle pouvait potentiellement procurer une dose d'héroïne à chaque homme, femme et enfant de la ville de New York », a déclaré la procureuse spéciale antidrogue, Bridget Brennan.Le Monde.fr avec AFP | 20.05.2015 à 10h25

Environ 70 kg d’héroïne venant du Mexique, estimés à 50 millions de dollars (44,7 millions d’euros), ont été saisis dans le Bronx, à New York, ont annoncé mardi 19 mai les autorités, précisant qu’il s’agissait d’une saisie record dans l’Etat de New York. C’est aussi la quatrième plus grosse saisie d’héroïne aux Etats-Unis, selon les mêmes sources.

« Cette cargaison était si importante qu’elle pouvait potentiellement procurer une dose d’héroïne à chaque homme, femme et enfant de la ville de New York », a déclaré la procureuse spéciale antidrogue, Bridget Brennan. Elle a précisé qu’il s’agit de la plus importante saisie par la DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), à New York.

En savoir plus sur http://www.lemonde.fr/ameriques/article/2015/05/20/saisie-record-d-heroine-a-new-york_4636733_3222.html#044KsciVdTwY22E7.99

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May 19, 2015
Contact: Public Information Officer
Number: 212-337-2906

Record-Breaking Seizure: Over 70 Kilograms of Heroin, $2 Million Cash and Firearm Recovered in the Fieldston Section of the Bronx
Largest DEA heroin seizure in New York State: Fourth largest in U.S.

MAY 19 (MANHATTAN, N.Y.) – James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division; Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor; Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York; New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton; and Joseph A. D’Amico, Superintendent of the New York State Police, announced the arrest of four members of a narcotics trafficking network and the seizure of over 70 kilograms of heroin (154 lbs.) worth up to $50 million, plus $2 million in cash and a firearm. The massive load of narcotics and cash was recovered from a vehicle and an apartment in the Fieldston section of the Bronx, near Horace Mann School and adjacent to Van Cortlandt Park.

O70 kilograms of heroin hidden in a concealed compartment
70 kilograms of heroin hidden in a concealed compartment

This is the largest heroin seizure in New York State in DEA history and the fourth largest heroin seizure in the U.S. It was the result of a yearlong investigation by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF), Group T-31, which is comprised of DEA special agents, New York City Police Department (NYPD) detectives and New York State Police Investigators, and the ICE HSI-led El Dorado Task Force. The Yonkers Police Department and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey also assisted.
On Sunday, May 17, agents arrested the head of the multi-million dollar heroin organization, Jose A. Mercedes, aka “Hippie,” and a second defendant, Yenci Cruz Francisco. Both are charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. Two additional defendants were arrested in November.
A court authorized wiretap investigation revealed that Mercedes and his drug trafficking group received sizable shipments of heroin at least once a month from suppliers in Culican, Mexico, an area controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel. The organization is believed to have served as a main source of heroin for customers throughout the five boroughs, as well as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
In the days leading up to the seizure and arrests, intercepted phone conversations suggested the organization was expecting delivery of a large load of heroin over the weekend. Agents set up surveillance outside 210 West 251st St. in Fieldston, where the organization was suspected of maintaining a stash location in Apt. 5E.
Late Saturday, agents tracked a Chevrolet Suburban and a Honda Accord driven by Mercedes, Cruz Francisco and a third individual as they travelled from 210 West 251st St. to an industrial parking lot off of Interstate 287 in Montville, N.J. The vehicles entered a section of the industrial lot where tractor-trailers were parked. After more than an hour, the Chevrolet Suburban and Honda Accord headed back to the Bronx.
Upon reaching 210 West 251st St., the Chevrolet Suburban was parked in a gated parking lot behind the building. At the request of the NYDETF, the Yonkers Police Department dispatched a K-9 Unit and obtained a positive hit for narcotics on the Chevrolet Suburban. Agents maintained surveillance at the location.
On Sunday morning, agents observed Mercedes arrive in a Kia Sorrento and stopped him for questioning. Several large bags containing a tan powdery substance were recovered from the front seat of the car and from a hidden compartment in the center console. At least one of the bags tested positive for heroin.
Subsequently, agents observed Cruz Francisco leave 210 West 251st St., enter the Chevrolet Suburban and start the engine. Agents stopped him and obtained a court authorized search warrant for the vehicle. A hidden compartment under the floor of the vehicle contained 70 rectangular-shaped kilogram packages of heroin labeled with the identifying name of “Rolex.” Also inside the vehicle was $24,000 cash.
Agents conducted a series of court authorized searches at apartments associated with the group. Inside 210 West 251st St., Apt. 5E, agents recovered $2 million from underneath the floorboards. A search of 830 Magenta St., Apt. 2J, in the Bronx yielded a .380 caliber firearm.
Last night Jose A. Mercedes and Cruz Francisco were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court and held without bail, with their next court date set for Friday, May 22.
Two additional members of the narcotics trafficking group were previously charged on November 17, 2014. Mercedes’ son Jose Mercedes, JR. and defendant Juan Infante were arrested at 2851 Webb Ave., Apt. 1D, in the Bronx, where members of the NYDETF and HSI seized another 10 kilograms of heroin (22 lbs.) that had been hidden in a compartment inside a wall. An indictment filed by the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office charges both with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and two counts each of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan thanked her office’s Special Investigations Bureau, the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, the ICE HSI-led El Dorado Task Force, the Yonkers Police Department and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, “Seventy kilograms of heroin was intended to be distributed throughout the Northeast, proving that NYC is the bull’s eye for drug traffickers and heroin is their weapon.  Record breaking aside, this investigation and seizure are messages to our communities that DEA and our law enforcement partners are doing our part in fighting opioid addiction that is afflicting our nation, by seizing the heroin that drug traffickers are pushing into our city. »
Bridget G. Brennan said, “The $50 million street value of the heroin in this case is a conservative estimate. To put it in perspective, this load was so large it carried the potential of supplying a dose of heroin to every man, woman and child in New York City. While this important seizure stopped a huge amount of heroin from flooding our city, it also highlights the critical need to intercept heroin before it ever reaches our region.”
“These millions of doses of heroin and millions of dollars represent much more than just a seizure. They represent violence, overdoses, crime, death and the suffering of our communities,” said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., Special Agent in Charge of HSI New York. “HSI and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners are determined to put an end to the heroin epidemic plaguing our neighborhoods.”

Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said, “I want to thank the investigators of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the prosecutors of the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor whose work resulted in this significant heroin seizure.  The NYPD will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to stop this dangerous and highly addictive drug from being sold in our neighborhoods and destroying lives.”
« This case will have a significant impact on the drug trade in New York State and throughout the Northeast, by keeping this large load of heroin out of our communities, » said New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico. « The State Police remain committed to working with our partners in law enforcement and using every resource available to shut these drug operations down. We continue to send a clear message to those dealing these dangerous and deadly drugs — you will be found, you will be prosecuted and you will go to prison. »

DEFENDANTS CHARGES
Jose A. Mercedes
185 Bronx River Rd., Apt. 5G
Yonkers, NY
5/22/1968		 Operating as a Major Trafficker – 1 ct
CPCS 1st – 1 ct
Yenci Cruz Francisco
210 West 251st St., Apt. 5E
Bronx, NY
9/17/1995		 Operating as a Major Trafficker – 1 ct
CPCS 1st – 1 ct

The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

http://www.dea.gov/divisions/nyc/2015/nyc051915.shtml

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Andrew Wayne Landells, 47, of Jamaica, (International Drug Dealer) Sentenced to 15 Years

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DEA

International Drug Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years

NOV 24 (RALEIGH, N.C.) – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced Andrew Wayne Landells, 47, of Jamaica, to 180 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

Landells was named in a three count, Criminal Indictment filed on May 15, 2013 charging him with one count of Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments and two counts of Money Laundering and Aiding and Abetting. On September 30, 2013, Landells pleaded guilty to Count 1, Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h).

According to the investigation, Andrew Wayne Landells directed the activities of his estranged wife, and at least seven coconspirators to assist him in the trafficking of marijuana and laundering of drug proceeds from 2002 until April 2012. The investigation revealed that from 2002 to 2012, the defendant was involved in the trafficking of marijuana from Mexico throughout, New York, Florida, Virginia, Arizona, and North Carolina. The defendant then used the drug proceeds to purchase luxury vehicles and residences, and to rent residences in others’ names. Landells used numerous residences across the country to store the drugs. Additionally, he maintained storage units and United Parcel Service mail boxes in Raleigh, North Carolina; West Palm Beach, Florida; Cary, North Carolina; and Wellington, Florida, for purposes of storing illegal substances and furthering his illegal activities.

In order to disguise the source of the proceeds from his illegal activities, Landells also operated sham companies purporting to be in the candle manufacturing business. He established the following business fronts to facilitate the laundering of drug proceeds: Olufina Candle in Durham; LuGhan in Durham; Heru in Durham; and Botanica Olomi in Raleigh. To date, there is no evidence of any actual revenue from candle manufacturing. Landells used numerous aliases, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and passports to avoid detection by law enforcement as he was wanted by authorities in multiple states, having escaped from a hospital in New York following an arrest for passport fraud when he was intercepted on a flight from England to the United States using a fraudulent passport in 1999. Landells had also been federally indicted in the Eastern District of Virginia on drug charges in 1989; however those charges were eventually dismissed due to the inability to locate Landells. Furthermore, he has pending charges in New York for felonious counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Loaded Firearm, and Reckless Endangerment. Agents recovered multiple alias identifications for Landells in two storage units in Raleigh. Co-conspirators in the scheme further reported that Landells obtained, used, and also provided them with false driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and Social Security numbers to facilitate the offense.

At sentencing, Landells was held accountable for the distribution of up to 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. He was held accountable for laundering money from drug proceeds through the straw purchase of at least seven pieces of real property, 13 motor vehicles, and four businesses, all with a combined value of over $1 million. Additionally, Landells possessed firearms during his drug-trafficking activities, maintained premises to store marijuana for the purpose of distribution and the Court found that he maintained an aggravating role in the offense by directing the activities of more than five participants to assist him in the trafficking of marijuana and laundering of drug proceeds from 2002 to April 2012.

As a result of this case, the Government has seized and forfeited a 2005 BMW motorcycle, 2004 BMW 645 automobile, 2006 Bentley Flying Spur, 2011 Mercedes Benz C300W, 2006 Rolls Royce Phantom, a home located at 12716 Richmond Run Drive in Raleigh, NC, custom candle-making equipment, a Yamaha Clavinova piano and over $51,700 in United States currency, which has allowed the United States to recover approximately $1,298,004.64 to date. As part of the sentence, the Court entered a money judgment against Landells in the amount of $1 million and forfeited his interest in several properties located in New Jersey and Florida.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative. The United States Marshals Service assisted with the forfeiture of assets.

DEA ASAC, William F. Baxley commented on the sentencing, “Drug traffickers utilize a multitude of sophisticated methods in which to hide their assets. One of DEA’s highest priorities is to relentlessly pursue and destroy these drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. This global drug trafficking and money laundering investigation was a success because of the local, regional, national, and foreign law enforcement partnerships and our commitment to bring this organization to justice in the United States.”

“Today’s sentencing illustrates that while the road to justice may sometimes be long, it is certain”, said Thomas J. Holloman, III, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “Landells operated as a high-level drug trafficker for many years, reaping the profits of his illegal activity, and now the time for him to pay for his crimes has arrived. The tireless efforts of the case agents and our law enforcement partners in bringing Landells to justice, and recovering the assets he obtained through his criminal activity are to be commended.”

Special Assistant United States Attorney Augustus Willis represented the government. Mr. Willis is a prosecutor with the District 3-B District Attorney’s Office encompassing Carteret, Craven and Pamlico Counties. District Attorney Scott Thomas has assigned him to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters. Mr. Wills’ position is funded through a grant provided by the Governor’s Crime Commission. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Royster and Steve West assisted with the forfeiture proceedings.

The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justthinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.

http://www.dea.gov/divisions/atl/2014/atl112414.shtml

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Le «roi du pot» Jimmy Cournoyer: peine d’«au moins 30 ans» réclamée par Me Loretta Lynch, la patronne des procureurs de la poursuite

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À New York, la poursuite est convaincue que le «roi du pot», Jimmy Cournoyer, va récidiver après y avoir importé 109 tonnes de marijuana
Éric ThibaultÉric Thibault @

Journal de Montréal, Publié le: lundi 21 juillet 2014, 19H03 | Mise à jour: lundi 21 juillet 2014, 23H11

Le «roi du pot» Jimmy Cournoyer devrait écoper d’«au moins 30 ans» de pénitencier, le mois prochain, à New York, pour avoir importé des quantités «exorbitantes» de drogues aux États-Unis en s’alliant avec des organisations criminelles «parmi les plus violentes au monde».

C’est la peine exemplaire que réclame au tribunal la patronne des procureurs de la poursuite dans le district Est de l’État de New York, Me Loretta Lynch, dans une lettre datée du 20 juillet et dont Le Journal a obtenu copie.

Elle plaide même pour l’imposition de la peine maximale en vigueur là-bas, soit l’incarcération à perpétuité. Pour la procureure, «la question n’est pas de savoir si Cournoyer va récidiver mais plutôt quand il va le faire».

«De ses modestes débuts où il faisait pousser de la marijuana dans son appartement à 18 ans, Jimmy Cournoyer a passé les 15 années suivantes à bâtir un vaste réseau criminel d’envergure internationale […] avec des groupes du crime organisé parmi les plus violents et puissants au monde, générant plus de revenus que le produit national brut d’un petit pays», écrit la représentante du US Attorney.

Mafia, Hells et «El Chapo»

Ce document de cour explique en détail comment le caïd de Laval a pu écouler pas moins de 109 tonnes de marijuana sur la côte Est américaine, entre 1998 et 2012, en plus d’avoir importé 83 kg de cocaïne au Canada. Soit au-delà d’un milliard $ en stupéfiants.

Pour ce faire, le Québécois qu’on surnommait «Cosmo» et «Superman» dans le milieu interlope comptait sur l’aide des Hells Angels pour transporter son cannabis de l’autre côté de la frontière, en passant par la réserve mohawk d’Akwesasne.

Il détenait «un partenariat lucratif» avec la mafia montréalaise — Giuseppe «Joey» Fetta, un ancien protecteur du parrain Vito Rizzuto, fut son garde du corps — visant à investir les millions $ de la vente de marijuana dans l’importation de cocaïne à Montréal.

Selon des complices, Cournoyer se vantait d’être «‘backé’ par les Italiens», non seulement à Montréal mais à New York, par l’entremise de la famille mafieuse Bonanno, mentionne le procureur Steven Tiscione dans le document judiciaire de 27 pages.

C’est auprès du dangereux cartel mexicain de Sinaloa que les représentants californiens de Cournoyer négociaient l’achat de cette cocaïne.

Son leader, «El Chapo» Joaquin Guzman Loera, arrêté au début de l’année alors que sa tête était mise à prix, aurait touché au moins un million $ de Cournoyer, selon l’enquête de la Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

« Casser des gueules »

D’après la poursuite, le Lavallois de 34 ans n’hésitait pas à «casser des gueules» pour avoir son dû.

Après s’être fait dérober une cargaison de pot par un ex-associé en 2007, Cournoyer s’est retrouvé avec une dette de 1,2 million $ envers les Hells. Il aurait fait kidnapper la conjointe du voleur, à Montréal. Elle fut tabassée et menacée de se faire torturer et tuer, elle et son enfant. La dette a vite été remboursée.

Cournoyer — qui s’est aussi livré au trafic d’armes à feu — aurait même menacé d’éliminer plusieurs ex-associés qui ont aidé les policiers à l’épingler, lui qui s’était constitué un fonds «anti-délateurs» de deux millions $.

À lire aussi

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Georges St-Pierre

photo courtoisie

Georges St-Pierre

Transféré au Québec?

La possibilité que Jimmy Cournoyer puisse écourter sa peine du tiers en venant la purger au Québec inquiète les procureurs new-yorkais de la poursuite.

En plaidant coupable il y a plus d’un an, le caïd lavallois avait obtenu que les autorités américaines ne contestent pas son éventuelle demande au gouvernement Harper de pouvoir purger sa peine plus près de chez lui.

Même s’il n’est pas garanti que sa requête sera acceptée, la poursuite fédérale américaine écrit qu’il est «improbable» que Cournoyer passe la totalité de sa sentence derrière les barreaux.

S’il est transféré au Canada, «Cosmo» deviendra admissible à une libération conditionnelle au tiers de sa peine et sera automatiquement libéré après en avoir purgé les deux tiers.

Pareil transfert aurait «un impact significatif» sur la décision que rendra la justice américaine le 20 août prochain, selon le document de cour déposé hier.

20 ans minimum

En juin, la défense a réclamé l’imposition de la peine minimale prévue dans cet état pour les crimes commis par le Québécois, soit 20 ans de pénitencier.

Cournoyer a même pu compter sur l’appui de Georges St-Pierre, qui a écrit une lettre implorant la clémence du juge envers son «grand ami». L’ex-champion mondial de l’UFC, qui disait considérer Cournoyer «comme un frère», s’est ensuite excusé auprès de ses fans en mentionnant que sa lettre était «une erreur», qu’il ignorait tout des crimes de Cournoyer et qu’il voulait seulement l’aider.

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