Pubdate: Tue, 22 Jun 1999
Source: Toronto Star (Canada)
Copyright: 1999, The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/

CANADIAN DRUG RING SHUT DOWN IN U.S.

STUART, Fla (AP-CP) -- The identities of four Canadians were released by
police yesterday following the bust of a drug ring that smuggled marijuana
from Jamaica by boat to Florida then on to Canada in tractor-trailers.

Authorities seized 3,000 kilograms of marijuana and about 540 kilograms of
hash oil from a sport-fishing boat that docked late Saturday behind a
waterfront home in Stuart, Fla. The drugs were believed to be destined for
New Brunswick.

Six people were arrested at the boat in Stuart.

U.S. Customs identified two residents of Quebec city: Serge Joseph Lauzon,
40, and Annick Bertrand, 55.

All were to be charged with conspiracy, possession and intent to distribute
a controlled substance.

Customs also identified Sherre Lynn Dalton, 41, and Teah Marie Kay, 18, both
from Bucksport, Me.; Dewayne Owen Dalton, 26, of Stuart; and Steve Douglas
Heugel, 23, of Belmont, Mich.

Stuart is on Florida's east coast, about 56 kilometres north of Palm Beach.

Meanwhile, in Canada, police conducted 19 searches, turning up large
quantities of cash in Quebec and New Brunswick.

Theo Savoie, 50, of Eel River Crossing, NB., and Allain Doucette, 29, of
Balmoral, N.B., were arrested and face charges of conspiring to import four
tonnes of hash oil and marijuana into Canada.

RCMP Sergeant Daniel Lemay said they dismantled the entire drug ring, which
had been in operation for several years. 

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