For allegedly attempting to smuggle roughly 650 kilograms (1,431 pounds) of methamphetamine by boat from Washington State to B.C., a Cochrane man could face long-term incarceration. 

Ted Karl Faupel, 51 years old, was apprehended by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) on the water in the US San Juan Islands on May 25 in a small watercraft equipped with 28 duffle bags containing a total of 539 packets of methamphetamine. 

Officers acting on border search authority made a minor cut in one bag and discovered shrink wrap packing of crystal methamphetamine, which was later confirmed. 

Duffel bagPhoto of one of the duffle bags.

According to the criminal complaint filed, Faupel said he was in the Victoria, B.C. area looking for work. While hiking near a marina in Sidney, Vancouver Island, he said he was offered $1,000 to move the boat to Anacortes, Washington, and back. 

He said he was offered $1,000 to move the boat to Anacortes Washington and back while hiking near a marina in Sidney on Vancouver Island. 

Faupel claimed he did not know what was in the bags as the duffel bags had padlocks on the zippers. 

Although he claimed not to know what was in the bags, law enforcement found a ledger of this drug operation and others in his backpack along with a 9mm handgun with ammunition. Faupel claimed ownership of the firearm and said it was for protection while hiking. 

Faupel made his first court appearance in Seattle last Thursday as he is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  

If convicted, officials of the US Attorney's Office state Faupel will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

It is believed that the meth has a street value of $28.5 million. 

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