Manitoba women linked to 40 kilograms of cocaine in South Dakota

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This article was published 16/08/2018 (2961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two Manitoba women face years in prison in the United States after being allegedly found with almost 40 kilograms of cocaine in South Dakota.

Brittany Babiuk, 26, and Bethlehem Halle Shah, 20, were charged last week with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Babiuk is listed as living in rural Manitoba while Shah is from Winnipeg.

According to an affidavit by the arresting officer of both women, which was filed in Circuit Court in the Fourth Judicial District in South Dakota’s Lawrence County, Babiuk was pulled over on Aug. 1.

Special Agent Steve Ardis said State Highway Patrolman Stuart Griffith had spotted an eastbound vehicle driving 86 miles per hour in a 75 zone and cutting off another vehicle without signalling on Interstate 90.

Ardis said when Griffith pulled the vehicle over, he saw a “extremely nervous” Babiuk and escorted her to his cruiser. While in it, the officer noticed the smell of marijuana and Babiuk told him she had a small amount she was bringing from Los Angeles and she would get it for him.

Instead, the officer deployed his police service dog to the vehicle and, after the dog indicated drugs were there, he conducted a search, finding a suitcase filled with wrapped one-kilogram packages which were later confirmed as being cocaine.

The officer handcuffed Babiuk, who said it was not her suitcase.

After the officer read Babiuk her rights, she agreed to speak and told the officer she had agreed to transport the cocaine from Los Angeles to Fargo to give to Shah in return for $10,000 in cash plus expenses.

While investigating, officers confirmed, by listening to a phone conversation, that Shah was aware of the cocaine in the suitcase and would come to South Dakota to help Babiuk transport and deliver the drug.

Ardis said a meeting was set up for Babiuk and Shah in Spearfish, South Dakota, on Aug. 2, at about 3:57 p.m., and when Shah arrived both women were arrested and later charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. The charge carries the possibility of a prison term of several years.

The two women are in custody and expected to have their trial in October.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca