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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2001
Operation
Green Clover
TOP
FEDERAL DRUG OFFICIAL ANNOUNCES MAJOR ECSTASY BUST
FOUR
FEDERAL INDICTMENTS IN COLORADO NAME 37 DEFENDANTS:
INCLUDING
THREE WHO SOLD AN ECSTASY TABLET RESULTING IN DEATH
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MDMA Laboratory
MDMA Tableting Machine
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DENVER- Asa Hutchinson,
Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Richard
T. Spriggs, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, today
announced the arrest of 55 defendants in Colorado and California involved
in distributing "club drugs." The arrests are the result of
a one year investigation called "Operation Green Clover," named
after a specific type of Ecstasy tablet. Administrator Hutchinson and
U.S. Attorney Spriggs were joined by representatives from Colorado Springs
military installations as well as state and local law enforcement. The
club drug distribution network was thought to have been a primary source
of Ecstasy in Colorado.
A federal grand jury
in Denver, Colorado last week returned four indictments charging 37 defendants
with conspiracy and distribution of club drugs, including MDMA (commonly
known as Ecstasy), Ketamine (commonly known as "Special K"),
LSD and marijuana. The indictments were unsealed following yesterday's
arrests during an all day enforcement action, which included the execution
of search warrants. During the course of the investigation in Colorado
and California, authorities seized approximately 85,000 Ecstasy tablets,
2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 320 pounds and 4100 plants of marijuana, 5 pounds
of methamphetamine, 40,000 dosage units of LSD, $1,360,000 in U.S. currency,
13 vehicles and 36 weapons.
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 “This
remarkable effort highlights law enforcement’s commitment to
the safety of our children and young adults and to bringing to justice
those individuals who wish to destroy the lives of their families
and friends.” DEA will not rest in its effort to educate the
citizens of this country about the deadly consequences of club drugs
and how these drugs devastate dreams and promising futures.”
Asa Hutchinson, Administrator
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MDMA Logos
Producers and
traffickers of MDMA seek to differentiate their product from others
by imprinting the tablets with “brand” logos or symbols.
The logos are generally popular images, such as smiley faces and
cartoon characters, or brand names, such as “Rolls Royce”
and “Mitsubishi.” These recognizable logos contribute
to the notion that Ecstasy is a relatively harmless drug. During
1999, the Dutch USD seized Ecstasy with 128 different logos.
One of the
more popular logos, “Mitsubishi,” has been seized throughout
Europe and internationally. According to EUROPOL, more than 6.5
million tablets bearing the “Mitsubishi” logo have been
seized since the organization began collecting logo data. When one
“brand” of Ecstasy develops a reputation of quality, other
MDMA producers will utilize the same logo-punch in order to gain
market-share. This does not, however, ensure that the chemical composition
or active ingredients of the tablets are the same. “Regular
customers” who place large orders are reportedly able to special
order Ecstasy from the producers and can request customized logos
for their tablets.
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Three defendants,
JOHN D. SPOSIT (DOB 3/18/1975) of Lakewood, Colorado, MEGAN M. SCHEY (DOB
10/5/1976) of Fort Collins, Colorado, and SHAWN SWEENEY (DOB 11/22/1980)
of Fort Collins, Colorado were charged with knowingly distributing an
Ecstasy pill, the use of which resulted in the death of a teenage girl
from Colorado. When the distribution of illegal drugs results in death,
the offense is punishable by up to life in prison.
 SPOSIT,
along with MARK B. MERTON a/k/a MARK B. WILLIAMS (DOB 11/16/1971) of Aurora,
Colorado and VLADISLA V RADOSA VLJEVIC (DOB 10/13/1972) of Littleton,
Colorado were also charged under the "Drug Kingpin" statute
with running a Continuing Criminal Enterprise. Operating a Continuing
Criminal Enterprise is defined as a person working in concert with at
least five others, occupying a supervisory position, and obtaining substantial
income or resources from trafficking in controlled substances. A conviction
under the Continuing Criminal Enterprise statute carries a minimum prison
sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Indicted for conspiracy
to possess Ketamine and possession with intent to distribute Ketamine,
a controlled substance commonly used as a large animal tranquilizer, are:
MARK
B. MERTON (DOB 11/16/1971) of Aurora, Colorado
ALEXANDER S. RECTOR (DOB 4/19/1968) of Denver, Colorado
WILL LANCASTER (DOB unknown) of Henderson, Nevada
Indicted for conspiracy
and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and use of a communication
facility in facilitating the distribution of marijuana, are:
JOHN
D. SPOSIT (DOB 3/18/1975) of Lakewood, Colorado
NATHAN J. KERN (DOB 12/10/1978) of Rohnert Park, California
DAVID LOGIN (DOB 12/18/1949) of Santa Rosa, California
The following individuals
are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Ecstasy:
JOHN
D. SPOSIT (DOB 3/18/1975) of Lakewood, Colorado
CORY W. DYNES (DOB 8/1/1979) of Denver, Colorado
MEGAN M. SCHEY (DOB 10/5/1976) of Fort Collins, Colorado
REYNALDO R. MENDOZA (DOB 4/8/1977) of Colorado Springs, Colorado
SHAWN SWEENEY (DOB 11/22/1980) of Fort Collins, Colorado
NATHAN J. KERN (DOB 12/10/1978) of Rohnert Park, California
SHAWN HARTNETT (DOB 1/28/1980) of Petaluma, California
JUSTIN C. L YNES (DOB 4/1/1980) of Colorado Springs, Colorado
RYAN J. KRUEGER, 1/16/1977 of Security, Colorado
DANIEL MCDERMOTT (DOB unknown) of Aurora, Colorado
FRANK E. EDMONDS (DOB 2/11/1975) of Colorado Springs
LIANA R. PARISI a/k/a LIANA WETTLAUFER (DOB 10/28/1974) of Denver, Colorado
NATHAN W. BURRESS (DOB 8/11/1980) of Englewood, Colorado
LISA RAINEY (DOB 9/14/1967) of Aurora, Colorado
TONY "G" LNU (last name unknown) of Thornton, Colorado
MARK B. MERTON (DOB 11/16/1971) of Aurora
VLADISLAV RADOSAVLJEVIC (DOB 10/13/1972) of Littleton, Colorado
ELIJAH D. WILLIAMS (DOB 2/24/1980) of Denver
CHAD D. KELL Y (DOB 2/21/1977) of Aurora, Colorado
JUAN JOSE CEJA-PONCE a/k/a ORLANDO (DOB 8/21/1975) of Henderson, Colorado
JASON M. PRICE (DOB 10/7/1974) of Denver, Colorado
PETER TIAMZON (DOB 1/5/1977) of Thornton, Colorado
STANLEY COREY JACKSON (DOB 4/20/1971) of Denver, Colorado
JIMMY D. GRAHAM (DOB 10/11/1963) of Bailey, Colorado
BRADLEY A. BENHAM (DOB 10/16/1970) of Denver, Colorado
DANIEL J. CHUM (DOB 3/28/1981) of Westminster, Colorado
DOUGLAS D. FRITCHEL (DOB 6/17/1958) of Loveland, Colorado
LORETTA LIM (DOB 9/3/1981) of Westminster, Colorado
KERBIN G. SHARP (DOB 7/6/1957) of Craig, Colorado
CHRISTIE M. SLOAN (DOB 12/7/1978) of Lakewood, Colorado
CANDI JEAN VASTLIK (DOB 12/7/1978) of Lakewood, Colorado
DONOVAN GARCIA (DOB 11/23/1968) of Denver, Colorado
CORY ROGERS (DOB 2/6/1978) of Denver, Colorado
TOBY LNU (last name unknown) of Colorado Springs, Colorado
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The
Scheduling of MDMA
MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxy-
methamphetamine), also known as Ecstasy, was first synthesized in
Germany circa 1912 and patented in 1914; however, it was never marketed.
Since that time, MDMA has been inconclusively evaluated for clinical
use and briefly considered as an appetite suppressant. Concerns
regarding abuse prompted officials in the United States and the
United Kingdom to place the drug on their controlled substances
lists. In the United States, the DEA initiated the emergency designation
of MDMA as a controlled substance in June 1985. In 1988, MDMA was
classified in the United States as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled
Substances Act. In the United Kingdom, the family of amphetamine
drugs was scheduled through the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act. MDMA,
specifically, was scheduled in 1977 through a Modification Order.
Other European countries followed, with the Netherlands, Belgium,
and Italy, to name a few, listing MDMA as a controlled substance
in 1988.
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Know
the Signs
Effects of
stimulant club drugs such as MDMA and Methamphetamine
*
Increased heart rate
* Convulsions
* Extreme rise in body temperature
* Uncontrollable movements
* Insomnia
* Impaired speech
* Dehydration
* High blood pressure
* Grinding teeth
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Some of the defendants
are also charged with distribution of Ecstasy, possession with intent
to distribute Ecstasy, and unlawful use of a communications facility in
facilitating the distribution of Ecstasy.
MCDERMOTT is also
charged with possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking
crime. SPOSIT also faces a charge of distribution of LSD. MERTON, WILLIAMS,
KELLY, and RADOSA VLJEVIC are also charged with Interstate travel or use
of a facility in aid of racketeering.
If convicted, the
various defendants face maximum sentences from four years to life in federal
prison and fines ranging from $250,000 to $4 million.
Numerous law enforcement
agencies participated in the case, which started as several individual
investigations and culminated in one comprehensive investigation. Assisting
the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney's Office were:
the U.S. Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Ft. Carson, Boulder
County Drug Task Force, Larimer County Drug Task Force, West Metro Task
Force, Front Range Task Force, Colorado Springs and Denver Police Departments,
El Paso County Sheriffs Office, and the Boulder District Attorney's Office.
These charges are
only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until
proven guilty.
Historical
Background
In
the late 1980s, a distinctive kind of music and dancing known
as “acid house” or “techno” emerged on the
Spanish resort island of Ibiza, known as “XTC Island,”
a vacation destination popular with British youth and young adults.
During the summer of 1988, the techno phenomenon took root in
the United Kingdom as thousands of aficionados gathered to create
what has been called Britain’s “Summer of Love.”
These music-and-laser-light dance parties evolved into events
known as “raves,” which were organized each weekend
in warehouses and fields throughout England. To maintain the frenetic
round-the-clock pace of this high-decibel, synthesized musical
environment, participants turned to Ecstasy.
The
decade of the 1990s was marked by unprecedented growth in the
demand for MDMA. Known by the street names Ecstasy, E, Adam, Empathy,
or XTC, it gained popularity with rave- and club-goers across
the United States as the “feel good” drug, inducing
feelings of solidarity, openness, and contentment. The use of
Ecstasy, however, may have long-lasting negative effects on the
brain, such as altered memory function and diminished motor skills.
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The
Effects of Ecstasy
MDMA is a stimulant
with mild hallucinogenic properties. It is generally administered
in pill or capsule form, though it may also be sniffed, snorted,
injected, or used in suppository form. The 2- to 8-hour high, or
“roll,” usually is produced within 15 minutes of administration.
Users are said to be “rolling” while under the influence
of Ecstasy.
Rave-goers
use the drug not only to sustain their frenetic pace during the
all-night dance parties, but also to “feel good” and enhance
the rave experience. Users maintain that Ecstasy amplifies the visual
and tactile senses and produces feelings of well-being, contentment,
empathy, and love. To magnify the effects of Ecstasy, users often
inhale menthol products to stimulate dilated bronchi, and gaze at
rapidly moving lights or glo-sticks to enhance visual acuity.
The “feel-good”
effects produced by the use of Ecstasy, coupled with its consumption
in tablet form, leads many users to believe that the drug is relatively
harmless. However, according to the U.S. National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA), MDMA users face psychological risks similar to those
associated with amphetamines and cocaine, including confusion, depression,
sleep problems, drug cravings, severe anxiety, and paranoia. Recent
research findings also link prolonged Ecstasy use to damage to those
parts of the brain responsible for thought and memory.
The physical
symptoms of Ecstasy are many, and vary depending on the individual
and other substances consumed. MDMA use increases heart rate and
blood pressure. It causes involuntary teeth clenching, which users
often attempt to prevent with pacifiers or lollipops; muscle tension;
nausea; blurred vision; rapid eye movement; and fainting. As the
body overheats, inducing sweating and dehydration, MDMA users consume
large amounts of water. Dehydration, coupled with inadequate ventilation
at many rave locations, have contributed to many MDMA-related deaths.
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