NTERNATIONAL MARIJUANA RING NETS FEDERAL AGENTS 29 ARRESTS

Federal authorities charged 29 people, including five north country
residents, over their alleged roles in an international marijuana
smuggling operation that moved thousands of pounds of pot through the
St. Regis Mohawk Reservation.

It was the second major drug sweep by federal authorities in less than
a month targeting the reservation. Thirty-four people, including five
north country residents, were charged last month with moving about
22,000 pounds of marijuana through the reservation.

"High potency marijuana produced in Canada and then smuggled into the
United States has increased largely because it is so profitable,"
acting U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Baxter said Wednesday in a prepared
statement. "Violence and other serious criminal activity are closely
associated with the illegal importation of marijuana because of the
large amounts of money at stake."

The 11-month investigation exposed a pipeline bringing millions of
dollars' worth of marijuana into the U.S. and distributing it to
several cities, including Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and as far away
as Philadelphia, federal prosecutors said. The pot was brought to the
Onondaga Indian Reservation for disbursement.

If convicted, each of them could face a 5- to 40-year prison term and
up to $2 million in fines.

Authorities seized about 100 pounds of marijuana, $350,000 in cash and
10 vehicles during the investigation. Prosecutors said 18 of the 29
defendants were arrested or surrendered early Wednesday.