BORDER OFFICER CHARGED WITH MARIJUANA SMUGGLING

(AP) - A Canada Border Services Agency officer and another Canadian citizen
have been charged with conspiracy after the officer was arrested while
allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 22 kilograms of marijuana into
the United States, authorities said.

"For law enforcement officers on both sides of the border, it's a sad day
when someone in a position of authority violates the public's trust," said
Michael Mach, agent-in-charge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement office in Grand Forks.

Gary Graboski, 35, who worked as a border inspector for the Canadian
agency, was arrested May 13 at the Pinecreek, Minn., port of entry. Agents
determined he intended to deliver the marijuana hidden in the bed of his
pickup to another man.

The investigation led to the arrest a short time later of Loran Stewart,
37, also a Canadian citizen, in Warroad, Minn.

Graboski's pickup and Stewart's SUV were seized by authorities.

Hometowns for the two men were not available.

State prosecutors in Roseau County in northwestern Minnesota have charged
Graboski with conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime, which
carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to $1 million US in
fines.

Stewart was charged with second-degree conspiracy to committee a controlled
substance crime, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and
up to $500,000 US in fines.

Both men were in the Roseau County jail on Wednesday.

Sam Jandt, Graboski's public defender, had no comment. Stewart's public
defender did not return calls.

A news release from U.S. customs enforcement said the arrests were the
result of a binational investigation involving several county, state and
federal agencies that spanned several months.