75 pounds of pot nabbed at border

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May 22, 2008

Anonymous The Press Republican Thu May 22, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

CHAMPLAIN -- A Canadian man has been charged with trying to sneak 75 pounds of pot into the United States through the Champlain border crossing.

The marijuana has a street value of $225,000, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director Christopher Perry.

On Tuesday, Christian Deslandes, 51, of Ste-Cecile Milton, Quebec, applied for admission into the United States at the Champlain-Lacolle Port of Entry.

Deslandes told the Customs and Border Protection officer that he was en route to Long Island to purchase vehicles for export to Canada.

At the completion of the primary inspection, Deslandes was selected for a secondary enforcement exam.

During that inspection, officers allegedly discovered what appeared to be modifications made to a flat-bed trailer being towed by Deslandes. They removed the boards on the flatbed, which revealed a non-factory compartment.

Officers used a metal grinder, hammer and pry tool to gain access to the compartment, revealing 131 vacuum-sealed bags that contained a total of 75 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, according to a news release from Customs and Border Protection.

Deslandes was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

He was turned over to agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.