Five Charged in Ecstasy & Cocaine Smuggling Ring

Five people are looking down the barrel of spending the rest of their lives in federal prison after pleading guilty to involvement in an international cocaine and ecstasy smuggling ring that moved drugs through Akwesasne.

April Burns, Elizabeth VanGuilder and John French pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Albany. All except French could face up to life imprisonment – he is facing a 40-year maximum sentence. Burns is looking at a minimum of 10 years behind bars and up to $10 million in fines. VanGuilder is looking at 20 years minimum.

Meanwhile, Allan G. Jacco and Melissa Arquette pleaded guilty to the same crime in federal court in Plattsburgh on Thursday. Jacco is looking at a 20-year minimum sentence and $20 million in fines, Arquette is facing a 10-year minimum with $10 million in fines.

The defendants are all set for sentencing in December. Their ages and towns of residence were not available.

Daisy Realza, the alleged ringleader, and Dallas George pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. They are looking at life sentences when sentenced on Nov. 4. Court documents say the organization brought ecstasy across the St. Lawrence River from Cornwall, Ont. It was sold by wholesale dealers in New York City and Boston. The organization swapped ecstasy for cocaine and cash in the two cities, which were then smuggled back to Canada. The exchanges took place several times per month, with each load delivering about 50,000 ecstasy pills. A return voyage would send several kilograms of cocaine to a Montreal-based ecstasy source, according to court documents.

Dontanion S. Grimes of Massena pleaded guilty in September 2011 to possessing 53 pounds of ecstasy in connection with the smuggling ring and was sentenced to 6½ years in prison in May. Thomas Scovill, a Massena resident alleged to be part of the smuggling ring, has a pending case.

State troopers seized about $12,500 in cash in Feb. 2011 from a vehicle French was driving. At the time, he was working for Realza and had just delivered a load of ecstasy to Yonkers. Troopers seized about 53 pounds of ecstasy from a vehicle operated by Grimes in March 2011. He was heading to Yonkers. The other defendants were Realza’s courier, court documents state.