TWO RESIDENTS OF CANADA ACCUSED OF SMUGGLING POT

FORT COVINGTON - U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers arrested two
Canadians for alleged pot smuggling Tuesday.

Mario Whiswell, 39, and Sandra Beaudoin, 34, were charged with
unlawful possession of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute a
controlled substance after authorities seized nearly 40 pounds of
drugs at the border.

The two claimed to be entering the country to do Christmas shopping,
but an examination of the vehicle's interior revealed 45 vacuum-packed
bags of hydroponic marijuana with an estimated street value of
$200,000, according to U.S. Customs spokesman Kevin A. Corsaro.

Both suspects were turned over to state police for further
investigation.