Pubdate: Sat, 16 Mar 2002 Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO) Copyright: 2002, Denver Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) MYSTERIOUS MAP LEADS TO BURIED TREASURE IN PALM BEACH A mysterious map locked in a safe deposit box led investigators to a buried treasure hidden in a suburban backyard. Authorities found $1 million in bills of $10, $20, $50 and $100 stuffed in a dozen Tupperware containers buried 3 feet under ground in what may turn out to be one of the largest cash seizures in Palm Beach County history. The money was discovered as part of an ongoing investigation of a marijuana growing and distribution network in Palm Beach County, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials said. Property records listed Richard T. Schmidt as the owner of the house where the money was found. DEA officials would not say whether Schmidt had been charged. "My dog got loose in his yard a couple of times," said across-the-street neighbor Mike Nee. "When I heard, I thought, 'Damn, I wish my dog could smell money.'" The investigation began eight months ago when Palm Beach County sheriff's investigators, West Palm Beach Police and DEA agents searched houses and safe deposit boxes in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Officials said the investigation has turned up at least $3 million in marijuana in searches in suburban West Palm Beach, Jupiter and other undisclosed locations. Investigators raided two houses on Tuesday and found keys to three safe deposit boxes. Inside one of the boxes, they found a crudely drawn map, a rough outline of a house and back yard. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager