CEDAR RAPIDS – A Canadian man who was involved in a large marijuana smuggling conspiracy pled guilty on July 27, 2015, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Jason Boyachek, age 42 from British Columbia, Canada, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana from 2005 through May of 2007.
At the plea hearing, Boyachek admitted his participation in the marijuana smuggling conspiracy, which involved smuggling marijuana from Canada to various locations in the United States and then transporting large quantities of currency back to Canada. On May 14, 2007, Customs and Border Patrol seized 600 pounds of marijuana hidden in a truck as it entered the United States near Pembina, North Dakota. This shipment was destined for a rural location in Delaware County, Iowa. Over the course of the investigation law enforcement officers were able to seize over $1.2 million in drug proceeds. Boyachek was subsequently arrested in Canada on September 12, 2011, and extradited to the United States on March 26, 2015.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Boyachek remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Boyachek faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
