SEIZED BUD BOAT TRACKED FROM ISLAND

SEQUIM - More than 200 pounds of "B.C. bud" was seized and an American
man arrested last weekend at a marina on the Olympic Peninsula from a
boat that authorities tracked from southern Vancouver Island.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police saw the boat arrive in Canada Aug. 28
and notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security upon its
departure. Immigration and Customs Enforcement crews later spotted the
vessel crossing into American waters and the U.S. Coast Guard tracked
the boat to John Wayne Marina in Sequim, where agents made the arrest
at about 4 p.m. and seized $23,000 US in cash. Sequim is about 28
kilometres east of Port Angeles.

The approximately 209 pounds of marijuana seized had an estimated
street value of $627,000 US and was allegedly concealed below the
17-foot boat's deck, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Kurt
Fredrickson.

"This is a really good example of how we're developing and sharing
information with state and federal agencies," he said.

According to Fredrickson, five members of the Coast Guard tracked the
boat after it came into American waters and combined with members of
Homeland Security to make ensure the arrest. "Our job was primarily to
keep the boat from getting away."

"It could have been pretty much any boat that someone takes out
fishing for an afternoon," said John Hamill, a Coast Guard mate on the
vessel that tracked the boat to the marina.

The man's name was not immediately released but federal drug-related
charges have been filed against him.

The Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Taskforce, which includes
sheriff's deputies on its multi-agency staff, also participated in the
arrest. Martin said the seized assets would be turned over to OPNET.

A news release from Homeland Security called the arrest an "immediate
payoff of increased border surveillance." On Aug. 20, an Air and
Marine Operations base was dedicated at Bellingham for flights by
helicopters and an airplane watching over the Canadian border.

Homeland Security opened the first of five new air and marine branches
along the northern U.S. frontier in Bellingham, demonstrating a
significant new commitment to security along the largely unfortified
border.