UN GANG ASSOCIATE DEAD FROM AN APPARENT DRUG OVERDOSE

A United Nations associate who was convicted in the same U.S. probe
that netted gang boss Clay Roueche has died of an apparent drug overdose.

Family and friends gathered at a Chilliwack hotel Saturday for a
memorial service for Nick Kocoski, 25.

Chilliwack RCMP waited outside for much of the afternoon
service.

Sgt. Shinder Kirk, of the Gang Task Force, said Sunday that police
regularly monitor services where gang associates are expected to attend.

"Services for those who have been involved in this lifestyle do tend
to draw individuals engaged in similar pursuits," Kirk said.

Kocoski was arrested in Washington state along with Joshua Hildebrandt
on Sept. 25, 2006 after "flying undetermined contraband into Tieton
State Airport, near Rimrock," U.S. court documents state.

The pair had rented a Canadian-registered Piper Cherokee at Chilliwack
and did not file a flight plan to enter the U.S.

"Foliage obstructed law enforcement's view of the off load at the
airport," the court documents state. "Hildebrandt and Kocoski were
detained because they failed to report their arrival from Canada.
Their GPS hand-held devices showed the flight originated in
Chilliwack, B.C. with one stop at Hope Airport, B.C."

U.S. authorities said the clandestine flight appeared to be headed for
one of several Montana airports and that the GPS indicated prior
flights into the states.

A few days later, Kocoski's brother Alexander and Roueche's realtor
Mike Gordon travelled to the U.S., telling border guards they were
going to bail out Kocoski and his friend.

Nick Kocoski later pleaded guilty to entering the states illegally and
Gordon was later shot dead in Chilliwack in a 2008 gangland hit.

Roueche was later arrested and convicted for his role in running an
international cross-border drug ring that used helicopters and planes
to transport marijuana and cocaine between the U.S. and Canada.
Roueche was sentenced to 30 years in December 2009, but won an appeal
to have the sentencing reviewed.

His new sentencing hearing will take place in a Seattle courtroom Feb.
15. Another B.C. man linked to Roueche and among dozens implicated in
the drug smuggling operation has struck a plea agreement with U.S.
officials.

Joseph Patrick Curry, 50, will appear in a Spokane courtroom Feb. 9
for a "change of plea" hearing.

Curry was ordered extradited to the U.S. a year ago and gave up his
appeal to surrender to U.S. officials last October.

He ran into trouble in 2007 when he crashed a plane in a Washington
state farmer's field. As he left the scene, U.S. authorities found
duffel bags full of ecstasy nearby.

Curry returned to B.C., but tried to enter the U.S. a few days later
to pick up the plane and was arrested.

After being let out on bail, he failed to return to the U.S. for his
subsequent court dates, leading to the extradition request.

He is facing three counts -- importation of a substance containing
methamphetamine, possession of ecstasy with the intent to distribute
and illegally entering the U.S.