Pubdate: Fri, 08 Mar 2002
Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 2002 St. Lawrence County Newspapers Corp
Contact: http://www.ogd.com/letter.htm
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689

MARIJUANA, ECSTASY PILLS ARE SEIZED

Alexandria Bay NY-- U.S. Customs inspectors and National Guardsmen in 
Alexandria Bay seized 1,275 pounds of hydroponic marijuana and 4,565 
tablets of ecstasy that were hidden in a tractor trailer bound for South 
Carolina.

U.S. Customs report that three French-Canadians were arrested for 
attempting to bring the drugs into the United States from Canada.

The driver of the 2000 Eagle tractor trailer, Yvan Boucher, 31, and his 
cousin, Patrick Lauzon, 28, were arrested on federal charges of importation 
and possession with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

A third individual, Martin Theriault, 37, was arrested by U.S. Customs 
special agents when he arrived at the port exam site to meet the 
traffickers. He allegedly was the trucking boss or exporter of the drugs, 
which were ultimately destined for distribution in the New York City metro 
area.

The tractor trailer, which was hauling a shipment of peat moss was destined 
for South Carolina, was examined by U.S. Customs inspectors and members of 
the National Guard.

Packages of Marijuana and the ecstasy were allegedly found co-mingled with 
the load of peat moss. The seized ecstasy could bring an estimated $125,000 
profit and the street value of the marijuana was approximately $3.2 million.

U.S. Customs agents were assisted in the investigation by New York State 
Police, New York State Park Police, DEA, and by Canadian Customs.

The three men were arraigned Thursday before a Federal magistrate in 
Syracuse and will be prosecuted by the Office of the US. Attorney.
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