Confiscated Mexican marijuana goes up in smoke

By Sandra Dibble
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 9:33 p.m.

TIJUANA — Nearly 296,000 pounds of marijuana went up in thick dark clouds of smoke Wednesday in Tijuana, three days after municipal police chanced upon a caravan of trucks that led them to the historic seizure.

Bugles blared, drums rolled and the Mexican flag was unfurled as armed soldiers, civilian officials and others gathered to witness the lighting of the massive pile.

The seizure has brought international attention and is being showcased as a success story in President Felipe Calderón’s hard-fought battle against drug-trafficking groups in Mexico. The 15,000 wrapped bundles of pot represent the largest-ever seizure of marijuana already packaged for sale and distribution to date in Mexico, federal authorities said.

“Citizens should be proud of their authorities and of their armed forces,â€