$24M IN B.C. BUD PICKED UP IN OHIO

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Two Vancouver brothers are facing charges after allegedly
being caught with 158 kilograms of potent marijuana that police say is
worth $24 million.

Arseni Mamontov, 25, was arraigned yesterday on charges of aggravated drug
trafficking and drug abuse. His brother, Boris, 23, was charged with
conspiracy to traffic drugs and drug abuse.

The pair, who also face traffic charges, were ordered held in jail in lieu
of $750,000 US bond each.

Police said the marijuana seized was B.C. bud, potent enough to have a
street-value equal to cocaine.

Police said the arrests occurred when they stopped a pair of vans Tuesday
on violations for following too closely.

They initially stopped a 2002 GMC Astro minivan driven by Aresni Mamontov.

Boris Mamontov was driving a 1999 Ford Windstar minivan when he was stopped.

A drug dog alerted police to the Astro minivan, where the marijuana was
discovered.

If convicted, each brother could face up to eight years in prison and a
$15,000 US fine.