B.C. man jailed for smuggling drugs
SEATTLE — A Canadian man who ran what a prosecutor described as a drug-smuggling empire with leased helicopters has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Colin Martin spent much of the past decade fighting extradition to the United States following his 2009 indictment. The 46-year-old was finally brought to Seattle and pleaded guilty in March. He apologized to “the American people” in court Friday before U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik handed down the sentence.
Martin, of Malakwa, British Columbia, headed a drug ring that flew marijuana south into Washington state and exchanged it for cocaine, which was then flown north into Canada. One of his pilots, Sam Lindsay-Brown, hanged himself after flying into a law-enforcement trap in 2009, when federal agents met him when he landed in a remote clearing in northeastern Washington state.
Pot-sale taxes exceed projection
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Tax collections on recreational marijuana sales in Nevada have exceeded projections for the entire fiscal year in just the first 10 months since they became legal last July.
Nevada Department of Taxation Director Bill Anderson says the $6.5 million in pot tax revenues in April slipped a bit from the monthly high of $7 million in March.
But the combined revenues from medical and recreational marijuana are now at 110 per cent of what was projected for all of fiscal 2018 — a total of $55.5 million so far. Overall sales have reached $433.5 million.
Anderson says taxable revenue from marijuana-related sales is growing about 17 per cent faster than total sales tax collections.
Sales of taxable products and services statewide are up $1.96 billion over the 10 months, while marijuana-related sales have increased $338 million.
2 reported killed by Israeli soldiers
GAZA, Palestinian Territory — Two Palestinians including a teenage boy were killed and scores wounded by Israeli fire on Friday, Gaza health officials said, as weekly border rallies organized by the Islamic militant group that rules the territory continued.
The 13-year-old was fatally shot in the head and a 24-year-old man died of gunshot wounds to his leg and abdomen, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
More than 130 wounded were evacuated to hospitals for treatment with at least three in serious condition, the ministry said. About 90 others received first aid.
The military said thousands of Palestinians participated in the “extremely violent” demonstration. It said troops thwarted numerous Palestinian attempts to breach the border and, in one incident, a grenade was thrown at soldiers. It said it is investigating reports of the teenager’s death.
Hamas, the group that rules Gaza and is sworn to Israel’s destruction, has led three months of protests that turned violent. Over 125 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since they began.