Pubdate: Sat, 19 Apr 2008
Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY)
Copyright: 2008 Watertown Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.wdt.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/792
Author: James R. Donnelly, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

POLICE INVESTIGATING SOURCE OF $3M IN MARIJUANA

Spotted From Air: Seven Arrested In First Of Two Incidents By Border Patrol
Agents

Police agencies in the U.S. and Canada are continuing to investigate
the source of more than $3 million worth of marijuana that was seized
by U.S. Border Patrol agents in two unrelated incidents this week.

The first incident, which resulted in seven arrests and the seizure of
700 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $2.8 million, took place
about 11 a.m. Tuesday near Westville in Franklin County when agents
spotted suspicious activity near the border, according to Ross C.
DeLacy, supervisory Border Patrol agent for training and public
affairs at sector headquarters in Swanton, Vt.

"They were caught right in the act. We had a helicopter flying the
border and they saw them," Mr. DeLacy said.

Border Patrol agents from Burke and Massena were called in and spotted
three camouflage-dressed people running into Canada. They were taken
into custody, along with two other alleged smugglers, by Canadian
authorities who also seized $70,000 in cash, Mr. DeLacy said.

The two people who initially were spotted from the air were taken into
custody in the U.S. and were turned over to the Drug Enforcement
Administration.

The second incident, which led to the seizure of 100 pounds of
marijuana valued at $400,000, took place Wednesday evening after a
traffic stop near Massena, Mr. DeLacy said.

Two men, ages 39 and 24, were taken into custody after a search of
their 2005 Cadillac turned up the marijuana as well as a quantity of
narcotics, including oxycodone, Percocet and methadone tablets, and a
loaded Glock handgun.

The names of those arrested had not been released as of Friday
afternoon and the incidents remain under investigation by state and
federal investigators.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin