U.S. POLICE SMASH POT RING THAT SMUGGLED IN B.C. BUD

VANCOUVER --A prolific pot pipeline that allegedly smuggled thousands of
kilograms of B.C. bud into Washington state has been busted after a
year-long investigation by U.S. investigators.

Seventeen people have been arrested in the past week -- including five
Wednesday -- by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug
Enforcement Administration. At least 11 face charges of conspiracy to
import and distribute marijuana and conspiracy to engage in money
laundering. The charges faced by the remaining six arrested have not been
disclosed.

More than 1,300 kilograms of B.C. bud and $1.8 million US in drug proceeds
were seized as a result of the investigation, which involved wire-tapped
telephone conversations and surveillance at the border, according to the
U.S. Attorney's Office.

The pot was found stashed in secret compartments in commercial semi-trucks
that crossed the Peace Arch border. Money couriers then smuggled the
proceeds from the sale back to B.C., according to court documents.

As much as 225 kilograms of marijuana is believed to have been distributed
by the ring each week.

The alleged leaders are Long Van Nguyen, 38, of Tacoma, Wash., and Nghia
Pham, 36, of Auburn, Wash. Together, they allegedly used numerous couriers
to transport and distribute pot from B.C. to customers in Washington,
California and the eastern U.S., according to court documents and federal
prosecutors.

The 17 people arrested are all believed to be either Vietnamese-American
citizens or Vietnamese citizens with permanent residence status in the
U.S., said Emily Langlie, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
to a maximum of life imprisonment for conspiracy to import and distribute
marijuana. Conspiracy to engage in money laundering is punishable by up to
20 years in prison in the U.S.

The defendants remain in custody pending a hearing Friday in U.S. District
Court in Seattle.