A Maple Ridge man convicted in Canada of trafficking marijuana is wanted south of the border for the same crime.
The Drug Enforcement Agency has issued a warrant for Warren ‘Wardog’ Hill that remains active and accuses him of conspiring to import and distribute marijuana in the U.S.
Jodie Underwood, a special agent with the DEA, confirmed that Hill is a “DEA fugitive.”
“His apprehension has been delegated to the United States Marshal’s Service, which works closely with our foreign counterparts. Information pertaining to fugitive Hill is sealed by the court and, therefore, we are unable to provide any details.”
Hill, 47, was convicted of trafficking pot in 2005 and sentenced to 30 months in prison.
During that investigation, RCMP seized marijuana worth between $263,250 and $471,744 from Hill’s Bosonworth Avenue property in Maple Ridge, including three replica guns and $26,000 in $100 bills. His upscale home had a helipad at the time.
Hill also had access to a leased helicopter, which he claimed he used in film productions.
The sentencing judge Madame Justice Daphne Smith concluded that Hill “was involved in a sophisticated, organized, and large-scale commercial venture for the distribution and sale of marijuana at a substantial profit.”
At the time of the sentence, Hill was a successful businessman and operated three companies.
Although Hill is wanted by U.S. authorities, Ridge Meadows RCMP are not moving to arrest him.
Supt. Dave Walsh, who headed the 2002 investigation that saw Hill charged with drug trafficking, explained RCMP have to wait for an extradition process to be completed before a warrant is sworn.
That extradition process has not yet started, and police aren’t sure if U.S. authorities will even pursue one.
Walsh did not know if Hill still lived locally.