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More Information Contact: 4 Smugglers Apprehended with One Thousand Pounds of BC Bud on Kettle River MAY 4--Today, Friday, April 30, 2004, John M. Bott, Special Agent in Charge Seattle Field Division announced the DEA Spokane Resident Office Task Force apprehended and arrested four men while they were off-loading three boats that contained approximately 1000 pounds of BC Bud marijuana. The arrest and seizure operation was conducted along the shores of the Kettle River south of Laurier, Ferry County, Washington. While continuing to disrupt and dismantle the smuggling and distribution of BC Bud marijuana into the greater Spokane area, members of the DEA Spokane Task Force established surveillance along the Kettle River in Ferry County, Washington. During the early morning hours of Friday, April 30, 2004 three Zodiac inflatable boats tethered together were observed floating down the Kettle River loaded with 41 large bags. The three boats which were being operated by one male docked along the west shore of the river where three other males met the boats and started to off-load the 41 bags. During this time, law enforcement officers arrested four males and seized the three boats, along with the estimated 1000 pounds of BC Bud marijuana valued at 3 million dollars. Listed are the names of the arrested individuals:
The arrested individuals will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Washington and had initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Cynthia Imbrogno on April 30, 2004. Assisting in this investigation were the Washington State Patrol, Spokane Police Department K9 Unit, U.S. Border Patrol, Ferry County Sheriff’s Office and members of the DEA Spokane Task Force which is comprised of members from DEA, WSP, Spokane County Sheriffs Department, Spokane Police Department, Immigration/Customs Enforcement and Internal Revenue Service. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
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