DEA New Jersey Division and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Arrest 1 for Importation of Crystal Methamphetamine

FEB 24-- (Newark, New Jersey)-BRIAN W. COLLIER, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division, announced today that the DEA New Jersey Division, along with the Canada’s RCMP had arrested 1 Canadian national in Victoria, British Columbia Canada for importation of crystal methamphetamine.

The defendant, Douglas J. Sharples, a 35-year-old, was arrested at his residence without incident on Thursday, February 23, 2006 by the RCMP. This arrest was in concert with a joint federal narcotic investigation that involved crystal methamphetamine sold over the internet. The DEA New Jersey Division utilized an undercover agent to purchase high purity crystal methamphetamine from Sharples. The DEA undercover purchased several times from Sharples utilizing the internet and Sharples packaged and mailed the crystal methamphetamine to New Jersey.

Acting SAC Collier stated “The internet is a tool for the 21st century drug trafficker…however; we at the DEA will continue to be vigilant against all e-traffickers that try to conceal their illegal activity by using the internet as a safe haven. Furthermore, the public should be warned that this drug has extremely anti-social implications.”

Arrested on 02-23-2006, was the following defendant:

1. Douglas J. Sharples, DOB: 01-24-1971, 507-1010 View Street, Victoria BC, Canada

The DEA New Jersey Division credited the following agencies: Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) US Postal and Inspection Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Acting SAC Collier credited the cooperation of all the agencies involved in this narcotic internet investigation. Acting SAC Collier stressed that “the cooperation between international and domestic law enforcement agencies is always paramount to the successes that we have here at the DEA.”

Defendant Sharples will be appearing in Victoria provincial court for a first appearance and scheduling of a bail hearing. Further, Sharples is awaiting an extradition hearing to the United States on federal importation charges.

The investigation is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey headed by U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie. Jonathan Romankow is the Assistant United States Attorney who will represent the Government.

Notwithstanding the criminal complaint, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

The complaint charges the defendant with importation. If convicted, the defendant faces a statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a statutory minimum of 10 years in federal prison and a $4. million dollar fine.