SEATTLE - A Canadian citizen who attempted to smuggle more than 250 pounds of cocaine into Canada from the United States was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) assisted Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the investigation that led to the conviction.

Steve Czinege, 40, of Surrey, British Columbia, attempted to enter Canada at the Lynden Port of Entry February 27, 2006. He told CBP officers his tractor trailer rig was empty and that he was picking up a load in Canada.

However, during the interview, a CBP officer noticed that the truck's fuel tanks had been altered. A subsequent inspection of the tanks revealed three duffel bags packed with more than 250 pounds of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of $1.8 million.

Czinege claimed in court that he had been threatened and forced to transport the cocaine because of an earlier failed marijuana smuggling attempt that ended with the seizure of his truck and 300 pounds of marijuana. The jury rejected Czinege's defense and found him guilty.

“Drug smuggling of any kind is a serious crime,” said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge for the ICE office of investigations in Seattle. “ICE, working closely with CBP, will use its resources to curtail this type of activity so justice can be served.”

Because he was transporting such a large quantity of cocaine, Czinege faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison when he is formally sentenced May 7, 2007.

-- ICE --