Pubdate: Wed, 17 Nov 2004
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Stuart Hunter, The Province
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POT WORTH $5.6M SEIZED AT BLAINE CROSSING

B.C. Bud Was Hidden In Truck Carrying Load Of Wood Chips

Officials on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border are trying to piece
together the events that led to the seizure of more than $5.6 million
US worth of marijuana hidden in a shipment of wood shavings.

About 1,893 pounds of pot were found in shrink-wrapped bags in wooden
pallets during a routine secondary inspection at the truck crossing in
Blaine at about 3 a.m. Saturday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
spokesman Mike Milne said yesterday. Bags of shavings were placed on
the pallets.

"This is a significant seizure," Milne said, adding there have been
larger seizures in excess of 2,000 pounds.

The commercial truck, trailer and cargo were seized and the driver
questioned and released without being charged.

Milne said the RCMP are also investigating because the cargo
originated in B.C. The load was destined for California but Milne
refused to provide more details.

"We're not giving the names of the companies because we don't want to
cast aspersions on anybody until we investigate it," Milne said. The
driver was released because he couldn't be linked to the B.C. bud.

Milne said the seizure was the result of a combination of
anti-smuggling devices.

"It's a case of our officers and their vigilance using the tools they
have available to them including physical examinations . . . X-ray
imaging equipment, canines at our disposal, we have density meters to
measure the density of cargo and good old-fashioned hard work -- I'd
say it was a combination of all that that led to the seizure."

The investigation is ongoing.
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MAP posted-by: Derek