
CANADIAN PLEADS GUILTY IN CATTLE TRAILER POT SMUGGLING CASE
More than 1700 Pounds of Marijuana Hidden Beneath the Floor of Cattle Trailer
EDWIN R. FULLER, 40, of Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. On February 17, 2009, FULLER attempted to smuggle 1,746 pounds of marijuana into the United States from Canada, concealed in the floor of a cattle trailer. When sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Zilly on July 17, 2009, FULLER faces a mandatory minimum five years in prison, up to 40 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine.
According to records filed in the case, FULLER arrived at the Sumas Port of Entry driving a 2003 Peterbilt tractor, towing a cattle trailer with about two dozen head of cattle. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors noticed a discrepancy in the floor of the cattle trailer. They directed FULLER to return to Canada and unload the cattle at a holding area so that they could further inspect the trailer. The further inspection revealed 1,746 pounds of marijuana concealed under the floor of the trailer. FULLER was arrested. The government has moved to forfeit FULLER’s Peterbilt tractor.
The case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicolas Brown.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.