Truck linked to soldier in drug bust

VANCOUVER, B.C. - A Canadian military official says he has learned how a part-time soldier might have obtained an army truck to transport marijuana to the United States.

The soldier, Sgt. Sten Strom, was in charge of his unit's dispatch and had access to the truck, army spokesman Dan Thomas said yesterday.

Strom, 36, four other Canadians and an American man and woman were arrested last weekend after officials found 240 pounds of highly potent pot in the truck at the border crossing in Blaine, Whatcom County.

Thomas said that only a few people have keys to the vehicles.

"The vehicle has to be properly dispatched," Thomas said. "You can't just walk in there and take one of our trucks for a joy ride."

Strom, of Vancouver, B.C., is a member of the 12 Vancouver Service Battalion in suburban Richmond. He was arrested along with Roderick Brennan, Brent Rusnak and Robert Laurin, all of Vancouver, and Yoshi Yamada of Surrey, B.C.

The Vancouver Sun reported that Strom and Rusnak are Coca-Cola delivery-truck drivers.

U.S. citizens Wesley Antholz, 41, and Erin Harms, 26, also were arrested.

The seven remained in custody after initial appearances Monday in U.S. District Court in Seattle on preliminary charges of conspiracy to import and distribute marijuana.

Strom and Rusnak, 32, were wearing Canadian army uniforms when they were apprehended after the marijuana was found in one of the military vehicles. Rusnak is a civilian.

Thomas said the Richmond battalion is a reserve unit where part-time soldiers are responsible for supporting other units in the field.

He said soldiers are usually on weekend duty during the summer.

Thomas would not disclose any other information about Strom and said the Canadian Forces National Investigative Service is investigating.

Harold Malkin, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle, said the five Canadians and the two Americans will be tried in U.S. District Court.

If convicted, they could face a maximum 20 years in prison. The penalty for the offense in Canada is similar.

A bail hearing is expected today.

Strom and Rusnak were arrested at the Blaine border crossing Saturday evening, said Charles McLeod of U.S. Customs. Officials also detained the two Canadian military trucks the men arrived in.

One of the drivers told U.S. Customs inspectors they were on their way to pick up a broken-down military vehicle.

McLeod said inspectors found the marijuana in one of the trucks.