MARIJUANA, ECSTASY PILLS ARE SEIZED

Alexandria Bay NY-- U.S. Customs inspectors and National Guardsmen in
Alexandria Bay seized 1,275 pounds of hydroponic marijuana and 4,565
tablets of ecstasy that were hidden in a tractor trailer bound for South
Carolina.

U.S. Customs report that three French-Canadians were arrested for
attempting to bring the drugs into the United States from Canada.

The driver of the 2000 Eagle tractor trailer, Yvan Boucher, 31, and his
cousin, Patrick Lauzon, 28, were arrested on federal charges of importation
and possession with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

A third individual, Martin Theriault, 37, was arrested by U.S. Customs
special agents when he arrived at the port exam site to meet the
traffickers. He allegedly was the trucking boss or exporter of the drugs,
which were ultimately destined for distribution in the New York City metro
area.

The tractor trailer, which was hauling a shipment of peat moss was destined
for South Carolina, was examined by U.S. Customs inspectors and members of
the National Guard.

Packages of Marijuana and the ecstasy were allegedly found co-mingled with
the load of peat moss. The seized ecstasy could bring an estimated $125,000
profit and the street value of the marijuana was approximately $3.2 million.

U.S. Customs agents were assisted in the investigation by New York State
Police, New York State Park Police, DEA, and by Canadian Customs.

The three men were arraigned Thursday before a Federal magistrate in
Syracuse and will be prosecuted by the Office of the US. Attorney.