Canadian National Guilty In Marijuana Conspiracy
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The DEA today announced that a Canadian national who was involved in a large marijuana smuggling conspiracy has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Jason Boyachek, age 42 from British Columbia, Canada, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana from 2005 through May of 2007.
At the plea hearing, Boyachek admitted his participation in the marijuana smuggling conspiracy, which involved smuggling marijuana from Canada to various locations in the United States and then transporting large quantities of currency back to Canada. On May 14, 2007, Customs and Border Patrol seized 600 pounds of marijuana hidden in a truck as it entered the United States near Pembina, North Dakota. This shipment was destined for a rural location in Delaware County, Iowa. Over the course of the investigation law enforcement officers were able to seize over $1.2 million in drug proceeds. Boyachek was subsequently arrested in Canada on September 12, 2011, and extradited to the United States on March 26, 2015.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Boyachek remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Boyachek faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
