B.C. man among trio charged after $7M in drugs found on U.S. beach
Two Americans and one British Columbian are facing possible life sentences in U.S. prison after beachcombers discovered more than 180 kilograms of methamphetamine and fentanyl stuffed into duffel bags on the Washington state shoreline.
Federal prosecutors say the drugs were bound for Canada in a failed smuggling attempt.
Kevin Christopher Gartry, 45, is the lone Canadian charged among the trio, which includes Erika A. Bocelle, 32, of Rhode Island and John Michael Sherwood, 65, of Idaho.
The accused were indicted in a Seattle courtroom Wednesday on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
All three defendants are already in U.S. custody on unrelated charges.
Due to the large quantity of drugs involved in the case, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, according to the U.S. attorney's office for the western district of Washington.
Beachcombers near Port Angeles, Wash., discovered a single black duffel bag containing what appeared to be drugs on April 7, 2021.
They reported the find to the local sheriff's office, which determined the bag contained approximately 27 kilograms of methamphetamine and one kilogram of fentanyl powder, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
Four days later, another beach walker in the same area – approximately 20 kilometres across the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the southern tip of Vancouver Island – found seven more duffel bags on the shoreline. Investigators determined the bags contained 155 kilograms of meth.
The Clallam County Sheriff's Office in Port Angeles estimated the total value of the drugs at US$7 million.
The grand jury indictment was delivered after an extensive investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the RCMP, according to the U.S. attorney's office
The charges have not been tested or proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.