Two arraigned in pot ring

CANTON — Two more people were arraigned Thursday in St. Lawrence County Court over their alleged roles in a marijuana-smuggling operation that moved and distributed hundreds of pounds of pot throughout the north country.

Margaret A. Jacobs, 42, Akwesasne, Quebec, and Matthew Dillon, 28, Massena, both pleaded innocent to conspiracy and drug charges.

County Judge Jerome J. Richards sent Mr. Dillon to county jail on $50,000 bail until an electronic monitoring system is installed at his home. Ms. Jacobs was released to probation supervision.

The arrests stemmed from an investigation by the state attorney general's office using wiretaps and electronic surveillance. The investigation spanned from Nov. 12, 2008, to March 13 in Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Essex counties.

Police officers fanned out Oct. 29 across St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties, concentrating in the Massena area, to arrest alleged drug dealers. More than 250 pounds of marijuana, valued at more than $500,000, along with nearly a pound of cocaine and more than $200,000 in cash were seized in the roundup, law enforcement officials said.

The massive sweep, dubbed "Operation Seaway," has led to charges against 18 people on conspiracy and drug charges. The marijuana allegedly came through the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation and was sold in Jefferson County and the Albany area.

The ringleader of the operation was Scott A. Jerome, 33, Waddington, said James J. Mindell, assistant deputy attorney general and senior investigative counsel to the statewide organized-crime task force. Judge Richards sent Mr. Jerome to county jail without bail until an electronic monitoring system is installed at his home.

Authorities said James Ashley, 29, Great Bend, was a major marijuana supplier in Jefferson County. He was released Thursday to probation supervision.

Police say two suspects remain at large: Raymond Whalen, 45, address unknown, and Clayton Everhart, 29, Norfolk.

The 16 people arraigned will next appear Nov. 24 in County Court.