A St. Lawrence County man was under investigation for marijuana smuggling when he was murdered last year, federal authorities revealed Wednesday.
Authorities announced the arrests of eight suspects for allegedly smugging marijuana for Russian organized crime - smuggling amounting to $27 million worth of the drug over a three-year period.
Dan Simonds was a ninth suspect at the time of his murder last year at his home in Stockholm, authorities said. Simonds had allegedly been making twice-monthly deliveries of marijuana to the Cleveland, Ohio area.
The investigation began in Cleveland and traced marijuana deliveries back to Simonds in St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties.
While the probe was underway, Simonds was murdered at his home on May 12th. The investigation into that revealed ties to cross-border trafficking.
A large amount of marijuana and cash were found at Simonds home in the wake of his murder. Seven defendants are under federal indictment for their roles in Simonds' death.
Marijuana shipments to Ohio continued, authorities said, leading to the identification of more suspected traffickers.
Those under surveillance were also found to be supplying several other areas in the Northeast including New York State.
The investigation led to search warrants for private homes in the Franklin County towns of Dickinson and Waverley and in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County.
A number of homes, safe deposit boxes and businesses in Ohio were also searched.
So far, over $1.3 million in U.S. currency has been seized along with 14 vehicles, 2 utility trailers, 3 ATVs, a snowmobile, a boat and a pound of cocaine.
Arrested so far:
- Sabrina Fraser, 38, Dickinson
- Harold J. Fraser, 43, Dickinson
- William F. Votra, 41, Hopkinton
- Randy Langdon, 39, St. Regis Falls
- Jovane R. Rosa, 26, Troy
- Konstantin B. Sorin, 23, Beachwood, Ohio
- Ashley R. Schmid, 21, Beachwood, Ohio
- Mark A. Veverka, 24, Willoughby, Ohio
