Pot Smuggler Faces 10 To 15 Years

The alleged mastermind in a global multimillion-dollar drug ring who was extradited from Germany has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in Seattle.

William Weitz Shaffer, 46, operated what authorities say was the largest marijuana smuggling ring ever prosecuted in Western Washington.

Shaffer, who allegedly spent drug profits on race cars, real estate and deep-sea treasure hunting, will be sentenced Feb. 5.

Under a plea agreement filed yesterday, Shaffer will be imprisoned between 10 and 15 years.

In addition, he will forfeit about $3 million, and he agreed to provide the government "a complete and truthful accounting" of all currency and assets he possesses or controls, according to court papers.

Another part of the "package," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Bartlett, is that Shaffer's brother, Christopher Shaffer, who is a fugitive, must surrender and plead guilty.

Three other co-defendants now free pending trial - Alexander Major, Dennis Specht and Kenneth Tarlow - will change their pleas to guilty, Bartlett said.

More than 40 people have been prosecuted and convicted in the case, which involved importing 65 tons of marijuana in 1986 and 1987, Bartlett said. In turn, the drug generated $60 million that was laundered in Europe, he added.

Yesterday, in addition to pleading guilty to a 1987 importation count, William Shaffer agreed to plead guilty to a drug count in an indictment pending in federal court in California, and to plead guilty to another money-laundering charge in Seattle.

Shaffer, who was hunted for two years before he was arrested in Germany last January, has been ordered held without bail.

But in papers filed yesterday, Shaffer indicated he plans to seek bail before he starts his prison term.

He proposed to be released on a $2 million bond posted by eight relatives and friends.

"He is seeking bail so he can spend a little time with his family before he serves his sentence," according to court papers.

"This includes his 70-year-old mother, who is in extremely poor health. It also includes Bill's two daughters, Carey, 18, and India, 1 1/2. Because of his incarceration in Germany, Bill has only seen his daughter India once in his life."

No date was set for a bail hearing.