REGINA – The trial of a Norquay, Sask. farmer charged with smuggling herbicide into the United States has been cancelled.
Ben Hudye, 38, pleaded not guilty to the charge in May and a trial was to begin in Grand Forks, N.D. last Monday.
But a spokesperson for the United States Attorney’s office in Grand Forks said Hudye is expected to change his plea.
A pre-sentencing investigation, which could take four to six weeks, will now be conducted to determine what sentence guidelines would be used if the plea is changed.
A sentencing date will be scheduled once that report is completed, at which time Hudye is expected to formally change his plea.
Hudye, who also farms in Colorado, was charged in April after a U.S. Customs agent at Portal, N.D. discovered 120 cases of Achieve Plus D herbicide beneath oats in a grain truck Hudye owns.
Achieve is not registered for use or for sale in the U.S.
