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Operation Julie: Difference between revisions
>Unity Added external links and references section. |
>Bruno Powroznik m Grammar and a small correction in "disagreement and separation" |
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==Disagreement and separation== | ==Disagreement and separation== | ||
In 1973, the producers had a disagreement with the distributors ( | In 1973, the producers had a disagreement with the distributors (concerning the price and profit margin of the product, which Kemp wanted to maintain as low as possible) and production ceased for a time. Kemp and Solomon set about organising another distribution network and recommenced LSD production in west Wales. | ||
Meanwhile Todd recruited a chemist named Andy Munro to continue distribution throughout Greater London, setting up a laboratory in Hampton Wick. Leaf switched to handling distribution in 1975 after unintentionally ingesting a very large dose of LSD while handling the pure crystals, letting Todd take over the tabletting. | Meanwhile Todd recruited a chemist named Andy Munro to continue distribution throughout Greater London, setting up a laboratory in Hampton Wick. Leaf switched to handling distribution in 1975 after unintentionally ingesting a very large dose of LSD while handling the pure crystals, letting Todd take over the tabletting. | ||
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==Conclusion of arrests== | ==Conclusion of arrests== | ||
The resulted in the break-up of one of the largest LSD manufacturing operations in the world. It was concluded in 1977 with enough LSD to make 6.5 million 'tabs' with a then street value of £100m (equivalent to £626 million today) being seized, 120 people arrested in the UK and France. | The operation resulted in the break-up of one of the largest LSD manufacturing operations in the world. It was concluded in 1977 with enough LSD to make 6.5 million 'tabs' with a then street value of £100m (equivalent to £626 million today) being seized, 120 people arrested in the UK and France. | ||
At Kemp's home a package containing £11,000 was found as well as LSD crystals and tabletting equipment. At Carno, laboratory equipment was dug out of a well. A further raid in the Dordogne region in France located documents that detailed and proved the LSD business had been immense. Details of French and Swiss accounts were found as well as share certificates. | At Kemp's home a package containing £11,000 was found as well as LSD crystals and tabletting equipment. At Carno, laboratory equipment was dug out of a well. A further raid in the Dordogne region in France located documents that detailed and proved the LSD business had been immense. Details of French and Swiss accounts were found as well as share certificates. | ||
On the day of the trial at Bristol Crown Court Kemp pleaded guilty and received 13 years in gaol, as did Todd. Fielding and Hughes were sentenced to 8 years. In total, the 15 defendants received a combined 120 years in | On the day of the trial at Bristol Crown Court Kemp pleaded guilty and received 13 years in gaol, as did Todd. Fielding and Hughes were sentenced to 8 years. In total, the 15 defendants received a combined sentence of 120 years in prison. | ||
==Amount of LSD seized and distributed== | ==Amount of LSD seized and distributed== | ||
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*A further 50,000 microdots were found under a stone in a field near Plas Llysyn and 100,000 microdots in a Winalot dog biscuit box buried in another local field. | *A further 50,000 microdots were found under a stone in a field near Plas Llysyn and 100,000 microdots in a Winalot dog biscuit box buried in another local field. | ||
*A raid on the organisation’s London HQ netted enough LSD crystal to make a further 2.5 million microdots. In a safety deposit box in Christine Bott’s name in Zurich police discovered cash, a gold bar and 2kg of ergotamine tartrate. | *A raid on the organisation’s London HQ netted enough LSD crystal to make a further 2.5 million microdots. In a safety deposit box in Christine Bott’s name in Zurich police discovered cash, a gold bar and 2kg of ergotamine tartrate. | ||
* | *Later, after a police tip-off in October, a further 1.3kg of LSD crystal was discovered, buried beneath Kemp and Botts kitchen. | ||
*Even after the court case, the gang’s hoard of LSD was being unearthed. A cache of one million microdots was discovered buried in a wood in Bedfordshire in September 1979. It took the total value of the six million LSD tabs seized during Operation Julie to £100 million. To this day, there are still recurring, Holy Grail-like tales of ‘Julie’ microdots being uncovered, such was the quality of Kemp’s chemistry. | *Even after the court case, the gang’s hoard of LSD was being unearthed. A cache of one million microdots was discovered buried in a wood in Bedfordshire in September 1979. It took the total value of the six million LSD tabs seized during Operation Julie to £100 million. To this day, there are still recurring, Holy Grail-like tales of ‘Julie’ microdots being uncovered, such was the quality of Kemp’s chemistry. | ||
*The Home Office laboratories in Aldermaston reported that 95% of the LSD being seized in the UK, and 50% worldwide was in the form of microdots, furthermore, the wholesale price of LSD was substantially lower inside Wales.<ref>http://www.drugwise.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Acid-house.pdf</ref> | *The Home Office laboratories in Aldermaston reported that 95% of the LSD being seized in the UK, and 50% worldwide was in the form of microdots, furthermore, the wholesale price of LSD was substantially lower inside Wales.<ref>http://www.drugwise.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Acid-house.pdf</ref> | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Julie Operation Julie (Wikipedia)] | |||
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Julie Operation Julie (Wikipedia)] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||