THREE MORE CHARGED IN RESERVATION POT-SMUGGLING OPERATION

Three more people were charged in connection with an international
marijuana smuggling operation that moved thousands of pounds of the
drug through the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, reportedly netting
about $100 million.

Queens residents Slobodan Pavicevic, 29, Mersim Kolenovic, 29, and Kim
Ki Joo, 52, each faces charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess
more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and money laundering, federal
prosecutors said. Mr. Pavicevic and Mr. Kolenovic were picked up
Tuesday, while Mr. Ki Joo was arrested by federal authorities Monday.

The two-year investigation exposed a pipeline bringing about 50,000
pounds of marijuana into the U.S. and distributing it to several
cities, including Syracuse, Rochester and New York. The operation is
alleged to have moved the marijuana through the reservation from
January 2003 until January of this year.

The ringleaders of the operation allegedly were Randolf "Randy"
Square, 44, of Hogansburg, and David Sunday, 37, of Snye, Quebec. Both
were accused of running a "continuing criminal enterprise" - a
racketeering statute that's generally used to prosecute organized
crime rings.

Five other people - Walter Baus, 39, of Middle Village, Denise Cook,
26 of Fort Covington, Andrew Kagan, 32, of Ridgefield, N.J., Carmelo
Ruiz, 38, of Medford, and Guy Gantz, 35, an Israeli citizen with no
verified U.S. address - were indicted on charges of conspiracy to
distribute and possess more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, and
money laundering. Mr. Square and Mr. Sunday also face those charges.

All 10 were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, where Mr.
Ruiz posted $400,000 bail and Mr. Kolenovic posted $250,000 bail. The
rest were ordered held without bail.

A status conference hearing is scheduled for today before Judge Sandra
L. Townes.

Several federal, state and area law enforcement agencies assisted in
the investigation. Authorities seized an unknown amount of drugs,
weapons, vehicles and cash. Prosecutors also are looking to seize
several properties in Quebec, Hogansburg and Middle Village.

The investigation is continuing and more arrests are pending.