Pubdate: Fri, 14 Nov 2008
Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY)
Copyright: 2008 Watertown Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.wdt.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/792
Author: David Winters, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

ECSTASY SEIZURE WORTH $1.74M

58,000 Pills In Car: Fort Covington Stop Yields Federal Charges Against Two
Suspects

FORT COVINGTON - Two people face federal drug charges for reportedly
attempting to smuggle about $1.74 million in Ecstasy across the border
at the Fort Covington port of entry.

Customs and Border Protection officers informed the U.S. Border Patrol
about two vehicles containing three people. A Border Patrol K-9 dog
search led to the discovery of about 42 pounds of Ecstasy in one
vehicle, which contained about 58,000 Ecstasy pills. Each pill has a
street value of about $30.

"It was a large seizure," said Mark R. Henry, operations officer at
Border Patrol sector headquarters in Swanton, Vt.

Daylan Adams, 25, of 651 Cook Road, Hogansburg, and Benoit Goyette,
39, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, were charged with importing a
controlled substance, federal court records show. Both were arraigned
Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Larry A. Kudrle in Plattsburgh.
The status of the third suspect nabbed wasn't known Thursday.

Detention hearings for Mr. Adams and Mr. Goyette will be held Monday
and Nov. 26, respectively, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Randolph F.
Treece in Albany.

Mr. Goyette is accused of driving a rented vehicle across the border
Tuesday morning to meet Mr. Adams at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino on
Route 37.

After a brief meeting, they both drove into the Quebec section of the
St. Regis Mohawk Reservation.

Border patrol agents then located them a short time later driving on
Route 37 in the town of Fort Covington and stopped them. The Ecstasy
pills were found in the rented vehicle's trunk after being detected by
a K-9 dog, according to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

The destination for the Ecstasy pills wasn't known.

The three suspects and drugs were turned over to DEA. The two vehicles
also were seized. The U.S. Attorney's office in Plattsburgh is
handling the prosecution. The investigation is continuing and charges
are pending.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin