B.C. POT SEIZED BY U.S. POLICE

U.S. police are contemplating charges after hundreds of kilograms of
marijuana grown in B.C. were seized on a tugboat near Deception Pass.

At least three people were taken into custody by U.S. Customs agents and
state troopers Thursday.

Activities described by police as a drug smuggling operation were
interrupted as duffel bags were being loaded from either the tug or its
barge on to a rental truck on Whidbey Island.

A witness had tipped off police.

The U.S. Attorney for western Washington was considering charges Friday.

Meantime, an RCMP spokesman says the investigation continues into a
year-old drug seizure from a fishing vessel in U.S. waters off Cape Flattery.

More than two tonnes of cocaine -- one of the Pacific Northwest's biggest
drug busts ever -- were hauled off the B.C. fishing trawler Western Wind in
February 2001.

Five Canadians, including Philip Stirling, the vessel's owner, were
arrested in the U.S. and then handed over to Canada after U.S. police
decided that the operation appeared to be Canadian-led and involved drugs
destined for Canada, and waived their jurisdiction.

Sgt. Grant Learned said Friday that the investigation was still "open and
ongoing."