EVIDENCE USED TO PROSECUTE THE CASES WAS ILLEGALLY OBTAINED

CONCORD, New Hampshire - The drug possession and trafficking
convictions of 20 people were thrown out today after authorities
revealed evidence used to prosecute the cases was illegally obtained.

State Attorney General Philip McLaughlin and New Hampshire U.S.
Attorney Paul Gagnon said a Rockingham County Deputy Sheriff working
undercover at air freight terminals searched packages for drugs
without a search warrant.

The deputy, who is now under investigation and on paid administrative
leave, discovered large quantities of marijuana in the packages.

The illegally-obtained evidence was used to convict four people in
state courts and 16 others in federal court last year.

Today McLaughlin and Gagnon said motions were filed in federal and
state courts to vacate the convictions.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has referred the entire matter to the
Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.