DRUG LAWS HARSH HERE, JUDGE TELLS SMUGGLERS

A federal judge who sentenced five Indians from Canada for
marijuana-smuggling advised them to spread the word back home about
harsh U.S. penalties.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo Martinez on Friday sentenced the five to
six months in prison and two years of probation.

They were arrested Oct. 30 at the border crossing at Sumas, Whatcom
County, riding in vans that each carried about 80 pounds of
marijuana. By traveling in a large group, with a treaty right to
unrestricted travel between the two countries, they hoped to disguise
their purpose, prosecutors said.

Martinez said he wanted to send a message to others who might be tempted.

"I want every other First Nation member in Canada, and I want every
other Canadian, to understand that the sentencing laws of the United
States are very, very harsh," he said.

Sentenced were Abraham Charles Sheena, 54, of Merritt B.C., a member
of the Upper Nicola Band; Fayve Quilt, 32, and Dide Quilt, 23, both
of Hanceville, B.C., and members of the Stone Band; Joanne Rosette,
27, of Alkali Lake, B.C., a member of the Shuswap Band; and Ranger
Oppenheim, 38, of Merritt, a member of the Shakan Band.