Transport Canada Fines Unlicensed Dope-Haulers

Harrison Lake Marina Corporation, of Harrison Lake, B.C., and Mr. Daryl Desjardins, of Rosedale, B.C., were fined $225,000 and $17,000 respectively, for hauling weed by air. A Bell 206 helicopter based at Harrison Lake, British Columbia and owned by Harrison Lake Marina, was used in the exporting and trafficking of marijuana from British Columbia into Washington State. The violations took place in April and May of 2006. In addition the Canadian Aviation Regulations were broken by Desjardins flying, without an appropriate pilot license, a helo with improper maintenance, without insurance, without journey log entries and doing it all without any filing of flight plans. In total, the company and the pilot were charged with 14 violations of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. The TC charges followed up on an associated RCMP investigation of the company and its pilot's activities. Surprisingly, no matter the outcome of any related RCMP charges, the defendants will have the right to appeal Transport Canada's enforcement action to the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.