EXTRADITION PROCESS STARTS FOR 11 SMUGGLING SUSPECTS

Quebecers Arrested In Townships Sweep Won't Be Tried In Canada, Crown Says

Eleven Quebecers accused of hijacking farmers' fields to grow marijuana,
then exporting their harvest south of the border were formally served
notice yesterday that the United States is seeking their extradition.

They were among 34 suspects rounded up in the Eastern Townships on
Wednesday in a cross-border crackdown on a ring of cannabis traffickers
believed to have done a brisk business since 1991.

Extradition proceedings were launched against the 11 men - all Canadian
citizens - when they appeared briefly in Quebec Superior Court in Montreal.

Federal crown prosecutor Christian Jarry told the group the United States
has filed a provisional warrant for their arrest - a move that officially
starts the extradition process.

He said the United States has 60 days to make its full case to the Canadian
Justice Department. The group of 11 were ordered to return to court Aug. 9.

In the meantime, lawyers for the 11 said they plan to seek bail for their
clients. Six will return to court for a third day tomorrow to ask a judge
to release them while they fight extradition, said their lawyer, Katia
Leontieff.

The five others set a bail hearing for June 17.

All requests will be made in Quebec Superior Court.

According to early information supplied by U.S. authorities, Jarry said,
the 11 men each face two charges - importing marijuana and distributing it,
mainly in Vermont.

Though the growing and harvesting of the drugs - often through intimidating
local farmers into giving up their fields - took place in Canada, Jarry
said they will not face charges here.

"Not at the moment and I don't think ever," he said.

Both countries have jurisdiction in the case, but he said Canada will stand
down.

If the Quebecers are extradited, tried and found guilty, they could face up
to 10 years in prison in the United States.