Pubdate: Sat,  5 Aug 2000
Source: Reuters
Copyright: 2000 Reuters Limited.

FRENCH SEIZE 1.5 TONNES OF CANNABIS AT CHANNEL

PARIS, Aug 5 (Reuters) - French customs have found 1.5 tonnes (3,307 lbs) 
of cannabis resin in a truck waiting to cross to Britain through the 
Channel tunnel, a judicial source said on Saturday.

The cannabis, which came from Morocco, has an estimated street value of 50 
million francs ($7 million).

It was hidden among a consignment of kitchen knives and discovered on July 
28 as customs officers carried out random checks on lorries arriving at the 
Coquelles terminal to join a train bound for Britain.

The source said it was the largest drugs haul yet made at Coquelles -- 
France's sole car and lorry terminal for Channel Tunnel trains.

Three French nationals have been charged with drug trafficking.

News of the haul was not announced immediately to enable police to crack 
the drug ring, the source said.
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