Pubdate: Tue, 28 Mar 2006
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477

SHERIFF'S STAFF 'RUNNING OURSELVES RAGGED' DUE TO 'EPIDEMIC' OF MARIJUANA
SMUGGLING FROM CANADA

OKANOGAN, Wash. - A man and a woman from Vancouver have been arrested
in the latest of at least four apparent marijuana deliveries by float
plane, but the pilot and plane got away, authorities said.

Both Canadians, whose identities were not immediately released, were
booked into the Okanogan County jail Thursday for investigation of
possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, Sheriff Frank Rogers
said.

"We're running ourselves ragged," Rogers said. "It's like an epidemic
up here. We're running from call to call."

Investigators seized 147 kilograms of pot valued at $1.75 million Cdn
after seeing a float plane land on Soap Lake, a small lake on the
Colville Indian reserve rather than the larger and better known resort
area north of Ephrata, said Sgt. Brad Wilson, commander of the North
Central Washington Narcotics Task Force.

The plane's registration numbers were covered and it took off and flew
north before agents from the task force could get to the lake, but
they did stop a rental vehicle and arrested the two Canadians, Wilson
said.

The other marijuana deliveries by float planes have been reported in
recent months, and law enforcement officials say there have been
indications that drops also were made by float planes and other
aircraft in areas too remote for investigators to reach quickly enough
to catch anyone.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin