Advertisement

400 lbs of Canadian cannabis smuggled into New York State, according to U.S. border patrol

Click to play video: '400 lbs of Canadian cannabis smuggled into New York state, according to US Border Patrol'
400 lbs of Canadian cannabis smuggled into New York state, according to US Border Patrol
On Aug. 28, U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security says it raided a Alexandria Bay, N.Y., villa after suspicious activity. What they found was 400 lbs, or $1.3 million, of Canadian cannabis in and around the property. – Sep 4, 2019

If you’re looking to kick back and enjoy the cottage life during the summer months, look no further than the 1,000 Islands region of Ontario.

The region welcomes tourists from across the world, and because it shares the St. Lawrence River with New York State, it makes it easy for tourists to go to and from both countries.

Although, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol say the proximity has caused a few challenges, especially since last year’s legalisation of cannabis in Canada.

“In 2018, we obtained 590 lbs of marijuana as opposed to this that year where we’ve seized over 3,000 lbs,” said Beth Bresett, an officer with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol at the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry.

These statements on Canadian cannabis come after border patrol agents from the Wellesley Island Station and Homeland Security seized more than 393 pounds of cannabis from an Alexandria Bay, N.Y., villa on the St. Lawrence River.

Story continues below advertisement

According to border patrol, on August 28 agents and a canine unit responded to suspicious activity at the Harbor Village Villas and found nine duffel bags filled with marijuana on the property with a street value of over $1.3 million CAD.

Story continues below advertisement

The vacation home was being rented by En Li of New York City, according to several neighbours who asked to remain anonymous. Homeland security special agent Kevin Kelly told 7 News in Watertown N.Y., that Li smuggled the marijuana from Canada by boat.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The villa Li was renting, includes a boat garage that is situated on an inlet off of the St. Lawrence River, Kelly said.

Li is charged with first-degree criminal possession of marijuana. 7 News reported that Li was held in Jefferson County Jail in lieu of $50,000 USD bail or $200,000 USD bond.

WATCH: Man arrested after trying to smuggle $44K of cocaine under toupee

Click to play video: 'Man arrested after trying to smuggle $44K of cocaine under toupee'
Man arrested after trying to smuggle $44K of cocaine under toupee

Global News has attempted to contact special agent Kelly several times, but have yet to hear back.

Story continues below advertisement

Although, Kelly told 7 News last week, that the bust is potentially part of a bigger network involving maritime smuggling and that the cannabis is high-grade and hydroponically grown.

Sponsored content

AdChoices