AKWESASNE -- Akwesasne Mohawk Police seized 282 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value between $500,000 and $760,000.

Akwesasne Mohawk Police Save team conducted a joint forces operation Jan. 9 with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), monitoring activity on the St. Lawrence River.

Around 5:44 p.m. a vessel was observed traveling with no navigation equipment displayed to a landing in Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) where it met with a UTV, police said. Several large bags were transferred from the UTV to the vessel.

Officers maintained surveillance as the vessel "departed and attended a private residence in Kana:takon (St. Regis)," police said. The large bags were removed from the vessel and placed in the rear of a pick-up truck parked near the shoreline.

Akwesasne Mohawk Police say they "attended the residence" and seized a pick-up truck containing eight hockey-size bags filled with vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana. The suspects involved fled the scene prior to police arrival.

The investigation is continuing as police believe the pot was to be exported to the United States for high resale profits.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service encourages anyone with any information that will assist in this or any other investigations, to contact them at 613-575-2000 or Akwesasne Crime Stoppers at 613-575-2255.