Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jul 1999 Source: Reuters Copyright: 1999 Reuters Limited. INTERNATIONAL HEROIN RING BROKEN, CANADA POLICE CLAIM VANCOUVER - Police have broken up a major ring of smugglers who allegedly conspired to bring heroin from Asia to Canada and the United States, authorities said Wednesday. At least 11 people have been arrested or are sought in connection with the scheme to smuggle heroin from Burma through Thailand to Canada from 1997 to 1999, according to police and media reports. A prosecutor said it appears to be the biggest heroin smuggling operation in Canadian history, involving 200 kg (440 lb) of the drug, although police would not immediately confirm the amount of the drug involved. Additional details about the operation were scheduled to be released later Wednesday in Vancouver. The operation is also alleged to involve heroin processing facilities in Asia and an illegal bank to handle drug money in Hong Kong. Arrests have been made in Canada and Asia, authorities said. Police in Canada and the United States have complained in recent years that Asian gangs have turned Vancouver into a major smuggling center for drugs intended for North America addicts. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea