Scuba Diver Caught Smuggling Pot

Scuba divers are usually explorers who realize how dangerous the activity is. The Inquisitr has done quite a few stories on how perilous scuba diving can be. So it would seem that you would not want to add to the danger. Well, according to the Sun News, someone added to that danger, and it cost them.

The Canadian outlet reports authorities arrested a scuba diver carrying eight pounds of marijuana while attempting to cross the U.S./Canadian border. The unnamed diver was swimming in the St. Clair River, going in between Sarnia, Ontario and Marine City, Michigan. A tipster called to report someone swimming in the river at 1 am.

After the tip, surveillance cameras were able to track his whereabouts in the water. Public affairs officer Greg Grogan gave Yahoo! News further details. “We picked up his image on camera and could see that he was carrying something.” he said.

Marine City Border Patrol agents went out and arrested the scuba diver. When they got to him. they realized he was towing an airtight container. The agents were surprised by the risk the swimming smuggler undertook. For one, he dove in the dead of night.The river is also known as a shipping lane.

“If there’s a freighter coming through there, there’s no way for a freighter to stop,” Grogan implored. “That’s a very, very, very dangerous thing to do.” He also mentioned that a scuba diver arrested for smuggling pot was a first.

The irony of the situation is that the man could have possibly obtained the pot legally. Medical marijuana is legal in Michigan as well as Ontario. Qualified patients who have been cleared to use medical marijuana in the state can grow plants or have the option to receive it from a caregiver.

The Canadian smuggler was turned over to the St. Clair County Drug Task Force.