 In 1990 Schoenmakers became a target of the DEA Operation Green Merchant and an indictment had been lodged in New Orleans, charging him with the sale of marijuana seeds to undercover agents and indoor growers in the New Orleans area.On 24 July 1990, he was arrested by the Australian authorities at the request of the U.S. government while visiting family in Perth.Schoenmakers was incarcerated in Fremantle jail for almost a year without bail while awaiting his extradition hearing.