U.S. and Canada Operations Snag Joy Smoke Distribution Organization

The marijuana trafficking organization is believed to have smuggled millions of dollars worth of joy smoke across the New York, U.S.-Canadian border.

September 13, 2008

SYRACUSE NY NEWS -- As a result of a joint investigation undertaken by United States and Canada law enforcement, Eight individuals have been arrested and indited in connection with a major joy smoke distribution organization located in the greater Syracuse, New York area. The marijuana trafficking organization is believed to have smuggled millions of dollars worth of marijuana across the New York, U.S.-Canadian border.

The U.S. DEA drug investigation, "Operation River Crossing," lasted four months, snagging the following eight persons who were arrested and indited in the United States:

• David LaFontaine, aka David Lett, age 29, Bridgeport, NY
• Randy Jareo, age 36, North Syracuse, NY
• Edward Burns, aka EJ, age 28, North Syracuse, NY
• Charles Cesario, aka Bubba, age 27, Bridgeport, NY
• Mark McLoughlin, aka Brother T, Tito, age 28, Clay, NY
• Carl Pierce , aka Cloudy Day, Mailman, age 45, Hogansburg, NY
• Helena Jacobs, age 50, Hogansburg, NY
• Cynthia Jareo-Lett, age 33, Bridgeport, NY

Following their arrests on August 17, 2008, a Canadian Joint Police Operation involving the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) carried out twenty search warrants under the authority of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act on August 26, 2008.

Known as "Operation Scarecrow" the Canadian operation began in April 2007, as an investigation into an Asian organized crime group based in Ottawa involved the production, trafficking and distribution of large quantities of joy smoke throughout the Ottawa area. Eighteen of twenty search warrants executed were in residences in the City of Ottawa, Alexandria and Akwesasne. Operation Scarecrow snagged a total of 230 charges against the crime group. The 230 charges included conspiracy to produce and traffic controlled substances, possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking, participating in a criminal organization and laundering proceeds of crime. Investigators identified various "cells" of the organization and their role within the production and distribution of the organization. Numerous large-scale indoor marijuana grow operations were located and dismantled as well as several bulk transactions of marijuana were intercepted by the Canadian police. Controlled substances seized during the Canadian investigation are valued over 4.5 million dollars, and the Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit and the Asset Forfeiture Unit, seized assets relating directly to the proceeds of the organization's criminal activity in amounts in excess of $460,000.00.

Meanwhile, on August 17, 2008, Operation River Crossing, on the U.S. side of the border, had DEA investigators executing five search warrants arresting the aforementioned eight defendants. During the operation's takedown, the following items were snagged:

• five (5) vehicles
• four (4) firearms which included a loaded .380 handgun, a .38 revolver, a loaded Kel Tech .40 caliber semi-automatic rifle with a loaded 15 round clip, and a 12 gauge shotgun
• One bullet proof vest
• $53,751 in United States currency
• Approximately 60 pounds of marijuana

Throughout the joint investigation, DEA agents and Canadian investigators conducted integrated wiretap investigations involving key suspects in the United States and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. These suspects are believed to have been supplying David Lafontaine, the alleged leader of the New York-based drug trafficking organization, with bulk quantities of high grade Canadian joy smoke. Furthermore, the Canadian joy smoke was smuggled on a weekly basis in bulk shipments from Canada into the U.S. through the Akwasasnee-Mohawk Indian Reservation, and then onto the greater Syracuse - Onondaga County, NY area and beyond.

Operation River Crossing's success is attributed to the partnership and assistance of the following U.S. law enforcement agencies:

• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Syracuse Police Department
• Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Enforcement (ATF)
• United States Marshals Service, and members of the
• New York State Police

In conclusion, if convicted, David Lafontaine and his fellow conspirators, accused of trafficking the Canadian joy smoke into New York from Canada, face a minimum of five or ten-year's imprisonment, up to a maximum of life with a $4 million fine.

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