AMERICAN SIDE FILLED TUNNEL

A 110-metre tunnel that was used for drug deliveries from Canada to
the U.S. was being filled in last week.

But the Americans are taking a different approach than the
Canadians.

Whatcom County public works personnel had a back hoe and were digging
up a large portion of Boundary Road, near the Aldergrove border
crossing, putting the Washington state road out of commission.

After a few feet, the back hoe hit some lumber that was used as a
frame for a tunnel that was located three metres below the ground.
Some of that lumber was taken away by the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration.

"We're removing all the wood under the road, and filling the rest with
concrete tomorrow," said Chris Brueske, of Whatcom Country Public
Works, a project expected to cost $10,000 US for 20 metres of the
tunnel, with 40 to go.

The Township of Langley, on the other hand, is expected to undertake
minimal excavation, by drilling three holes and injecting concrete at
the centre point, into a 45-metre portion of the 50 metre Canadian
section of the tunnel.

Clive Roberts, Langley Township manager of design and construction,
said the Canadian project is expected to cost about $30,000, will
leave 0 Avenue undisturbed, and is modest in size compared to the U.S.
undertaking.

"For some reason, (the DEA) was keen to get the timber out of the
ground. The DEA was very anxious to take the timber out and take it
away," he said.

The excavation attracted about 20 media on both sides of the border,
and representatives from the DEA and the RCMP.

A representative from the DEA expects there will be additional arrests
in connection with what is considered an operation connected to
organized crime.

"Our goal is to take out the biggest piece in this crime organization,
said Rodney G. Benson, special agent in charge of Seattle Field Division.

Francis Devandra Raj, 30, Timothy Woo, 34 and Jonathan Valenzuela 27,
were arrested on the U.S. side of the border July 20 and charged with
conspiracy to distribute and import marijuana.

They are being held in Washington state, and have a trial date in
Seattle Sept. 26.