Pubdate: Wed, 11 Aug 2004 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2004 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Jason Bell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) POLICE SEIZE 405 KG OF POT Weigh-Scale Staff Spot Huge Load HIGHWAY inspectors led Falcon Lake RCMP to a massive marijuana bust that is believed to be one of the largest in Manitoba in recent years. About 405 kilograms (about 900 pounds) of harvested, packaged marijuana -- with an estimated street value of $2.3 million -- was found hidden inside the cargo of an eastbound semi-trailer truck around 12:30 p.m., about 160 kilometres east of Winnipeg. A highways inspector, conducting a routine commercial vehicle inspection at the West Hawk scales, initially came across what he believed to be boxes containing marijuana. The inspector contacted the RCMP and a search warrant was obtained. It's the latest in a string of drug seizures at the trucking weigh scales on the Ontario-Manitoba border in recent years. "It's the biggest seizure ever for our detachment," said Const. David Pateman. "It's a significant amount ... It'll obviously affect someone's criminal enterprise somewhere along the line." Pateman credited inspectors for discovering the illegal load. "A lot of times they'll notice things that seem out of place," he said. "Their job is to inspect the cargo and to ensure everything is in order. And sometimes they come across drugs." A 37-year-old Brampton, Ont., man, the only person in the truck, was arrested and faces charges of drug-trafficking. He was released on a promise to appear in court in October. Police said the load originated in British Columbia and was destined for the Toronto area. Pateman said although the investigation is continuing, there is no indication the drugs are linked to organized crime. Truck inspectors and RCMP have seized roughly 1,500 kilograms of marijuana at the weigh scale in the past year. Also, 37 kilos of cocaine with an estimated value of $6 million were found in a truck there in January. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin