Posted on 01/25/2005 7:01:21 PM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
MIAMI (AP) Federal agents seized an Arizona oil company allegedly funded by proceeds of a marijuana smuggling operation and took control of a number of its other assets, authorities announced Tuesday.
U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents seized Phoenix-based Shaboom Oil Inc. on Friday. The company, owned by Panama-based Shaboom Investments, also forfeited 43 operating oil wells in Pennsylvania and mineral rights to 1,100 acres in the Allegheny National Forest, authorities said.
Authorities also said they seized $6.5 million in assets from trusts and bank accounts in Monaco, part of more than $70 million forfeited in the investigation dating to the early 1990s.
Larry Hammond, an attorney for George Basch, Shaboom Oil's former chief executive, declined to comment.
Federal officials said the impetus for the investigation was Paul Hindelang, who operated one of the nation's largest marijuana smuggling operations in the late 1970s. Special agent Cynthia Keuthan said Hindelang did not have any operating control over Shaboom, but "it was his drug proceeds that ultimately funded the company."
Harland Braun, a Los Angeles-based attorney representing Hindelang, said he "doesn't know anything about this."
Hindelang was convicted in 1981 for his part in smuggling 500,000 pounds of marijuana into the southeastern United States, and was sentenced to 30 months.
Hindelang's original plea agreement called for him to forfeit all of his drug money, which he said totaled $640,000. Investigators said they found Hindelang allegedly had hidden money in offshore bank accounts and corporations, and supposedly used it to buy property and businesses in the West and in Costa Rica.
The Arizona Corporation Commission did not have any listings for Shaboom Oil Inc. or Shaboom Investments Inc. The oil wells in Pennsylvania were valued at about $1 million, authorities said.
"Like no other case in recent memory, this investigation demonstrates our perseverance in tracking down the ill-gotten gains of international crime lords," said ICE special agent-in-charge Jesus Torres.
Federal officials said they were continuing their investigation.
"Apparently there's still money floating around that they're tracking but it has nothing to do with Hindelang," Braun said.
Shaboom Investments ---interesting name
500,000 pounds ?
Ping!
My SIL works for a PA based drilling company. I wonder what company will get the mineral rights now...
They must not be very superstitious.
:) yes, apparently not.
It's all George Basch's fault!
EEEEEEEVEEEEEEL Bush/Cheney/Halliburton triangle...they unilaterally invaded an oil company to steal their oil! 30,000 civilians murdered! Minorites, women and children hardest hit! Puppies and kittens second hardest hit! Wedding parties welcome!
Look at the name of their former CEO
Also, it doesn't say if he ratted out some others in that trial for a lesser sentence nor does it say exactly what his "part" in the smuggling was.
Papaver?
Rather like Jimson Weed in my case. The level of entheogenic knowledge in here is slight. At best.
Amazinf , isn't it? How long do you suppose it'll be before the left starts confusing George Basche with George Bush?
Question: if this is a drug-related seizure, why isn't DEA doing this?
They could be fans of the Crew Cuts.
Sh - Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)
Hey nonny ding dong, alang alang alang
Boom ba-doh, ba-doo ba-doodle-ay
Oh, life could be a dream (sh-boom)
If I could take you up in paradise up above (sh-boom)
If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
(Hello, hello again, sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again)
Oh, life could be a dream (sh-boom)
If only all my precious plans would come true (sh-boom)
If you would let me spend my whole life lovin' you
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
Now every time I look at you
Something is on my mind (dat-dat-dat-dat-dat-duh)
If you do what I want you to
Baby, we'd be so fine!
Oh, life could be a dream (sh-boom)
If I could take you up in paradise up above (sh-boom)
If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da, sh-boom!
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da, sh-boom!
Every time I look at you
Somethin' is on my mind
If you do what I want you to
Baby, we'd be so fine!
Life could be a dream
If I could take you up in paradise up above
If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
(Hello hello again, sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again) boom sh-boom
Hey nonny ding dong, alang alang alang (sh-boom)
Ba-doh, ba-doo ba-doodle-ay
Life could be a dream
Life could be a dream, sweetheart!
Life could be a dream
If only all my precious plans would come true
If you would let me spend my whole life loving you
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
Sweetheart!!
*cackle*
Kudos on your nick, and btw you are the first person to understand what my nick means *eg*
Read later, thanks.
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