Seven B.C. men have been sentenced in a Washington state court for their part in smuggling thousands of kilograms of marijuana between Canada and the U.S.

Seven B.C. men have been sentenced in a Washington state court for their part in smuggling thousands of kilograms of marijuana between Canada and the U.S.

The conspiracy — which U.S. prosecutors said was tied to the Hells Angels motorcycle gang — saw marijuana shipped south in plumbing pipe, hollowed out logs, wood chips and hidden compartments in tractor-trailer trucks.

In sentencing Jody York, Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik said the smuggling operation had a terrible impact on B.C. and part of the U.S. and it's the children who suffer when communities are riddled with violence.

York, 36, and Edward Russell were considered the managers of the drug group and were both given more than 4½ years in prison, while five other B.C. men were given sentenced ranging from one-year in jail to probation.

The case involved a three-year investigation that saw 54 people charged, thousands of kilograms of marijuana and cocaine seized along with millions in cash.

Forty-eight people have been convicted, including the ring leader, Rob Shannon of Langley, B.C., who was given a 20-year prison term.