[Sativa]

The Vermont leader of a massive pot distribution operation has been sentenced on federal charges to at least 14 years in prison.

Ronald "Ronnie Cash" Aldrich, 44, formerly of Richford, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Burlington to the 14-year prison term by Judge William K. Sessions III.

Aldrich was sentenced on his conviction on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana from 2000 to 2004 as well as money laundering.

According to court records, Aldrich and another man masterminded a plan to import thousands of pounds of high-grade marijuana from Canada in grain trucks from 2001 to 2003.

During the conspiracy, Aldrich established contacts with large scale Canadian suppliers and arranged with them for the shipments. Prosecutors said Aldrich also had an extensive distribution network for the marijuana.

Aldrich's extensive cash expenditures during the course of the conspiracy led to his nickname, "Ronnie Cash," federal prosecutors said.

As part of his sentence, Sessions ordered the forfeiture to the federal government of three pieces of property from Aldrich, several vehicles and almost $75,000 in cash seized during the investigation.

With Aldrich's sentencing, the investigation has resulted in more than a dozen convictions and multiple forfeitures.

In sentencing Aldrich, Sessions said it was an "extremely serious offense," and with the "exception of one other case," the largest conspiracy he has seen in his 12 years on the bench.

In 2003, federal agents and Vermont State Police raided his residence, where he was arrested. Shortly before the search, Aldrich had taken delivery of 700 pounds of marijuana from Canada in a single shipment.



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Source: Rutland Herald
Contact: Rutland Herald
Copyright: 2007 Rutland Herald
Website: Marijuana kingpin sentenced to 14 years