Pubdate: Tue, 18 Nov 2003
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Hacker Press Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Cheryl Wierda

TEEN DRUG SMUGGLING ON THE RISE

The arrest of an Abbotsford teen in Bellingham last week marks the third
time in a month an Abbotsford teen has been arrested after trying to smuggle
drugs over the border, said Whatcom County prosecutor Tom Verge.

"We hope this is not a trend," he said.

About a month ago, a 16 and a 17 year-old from Abbotsford were caught trying
to smuggle 33 pounds of marijuana into the United States. The drugs have a
value of $100,000 U.S. in Whatcom County.

While Verge's office thought that was a lot, it pales in comparison to the
amount of drugs allegedly smuggled into the U.S. by a 16-year-old Abbotsford
teen last week.

On Wednesday morning, border patrol officials monitoring the surveillance
cameras along the 49th parallel noted two vehicles, apparently in tandem,
driving illegally across the border near Whatcom Road.

The licence plate numbers were pulled off the cameras, and officers quickly
located a rented tan 2003 Chevrolet venture van, driven by the Abbotsford
teen, and a Ford Expedition, driven by a 26-year-old American, in
Bellingham. Inside the van, officers found 220 pounds of ephedrine, a key
substance in making methamphetamine, and 200 pounds of high grade pot. The
drugs have a value of about $1 million U.S., said Verge.

He said he has never seen a juvenile charged with such a large quantity of
drugs, and the amount of ephedrine smuggled across the border is
"unprecedented." That's why his office is considering raising the teen to
adult court. "Obviously, given the huge amount of drugs and the huge value
of drugs . . . we're going to look long and hard at it."

A decision will be made prior to the teen's second court appearance on Nov.
26. On Thursday, he charged with possession of ephedrine with intent to
manufacture methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver marijuana.

His bail has been set at $250,000 U.S.

If convicted as an adult, he could face 51 to 68 month for the ephedrine
charge and an additional six to 12 months for the cannabis charge.

As a youth, the sentence range is "drastically less." If convicted, the teen
could face zero to 60 days custody. However, prosecutors could has for a
"manifest injustice sentence," which would see the teen incarcerated in a
juvenile prison until his 21st birthday.

"If they (youths) think they will be treated easily when they cross the
border, they're in for a very rude surprise," said Verge.
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