Two suspects arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made their initial appearance March 27 in Seattle federal court on charges they conspired to distribute more than 60 pounds of cocaine.
Harminder Singh Rai, 35, of Surrey, British Columbia, and Tuan Van Dang, 38, of San Diego, Calif., were arrested separately March 26, following an investigation by the Blaine Border Enforcement Security Task Force.
According to court records, Rai, a known drug trafficker, was tailed by investigators after he entered the United States at the Blaine port of entry. He led special agents to a Marysville motel, where it is alleged he picked up a duffle bag filled with cocaine from Dang.
Rai was stopped at the border on his return trip to Canada, where fficers found 24 vacuum-sealed bags containing more than 60 pounds of cocaine hidden in various locations of his vehicle. He was taken into custody. Dang was arrested in Bellingham.
If convicted, both suspects face minimum mandatory sentences of 10 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington is prosecuting the case. (end)
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