Trucker nabbed at border with huge haul of hydroponic herb

Associated Press Photo — Hydroponic marijuana is often discovered growing in enclosed "kitchens" like the one pictured.
The Associated Press

5/22/2008


BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 26-year-old truck driver was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents after 29.4 kilograms, or 64.7 pounds, of hydroponic marijuana allegedly were found in a truck he drove across the border from Canada on Tuesday.

The trucker, whose name was not disclosed, was arrested on U.S. federal charges alleging importation and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, said Kevin Corsaro, chief customs and border officer for the Buffalo field office.

Border officials said the extra load on the truck was discovered as the driver applied for admission to the United States at the Peace Bridge border crossing.

They said he presented a manifest and invoice for a commercial shipment of steel bars destined for West Lake, Ohio.

But the officers then turned to gamma-ray technology.

It produced a high-resolution image of the truck's contents and displayed an anomaly that is inconsistent with a load of steel.

A physical inspection of the load turned up three undeclared large plastic bags among the steel, the officials said.

When opened, the bags were found to contain 124 vacuum-sealed bags of hydroponic marijuana.

"The marijuana seized ... has a street value of approximately $200,000," said Corsaro.

The trucker faces further investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York.

No date has been set for a court appearance.

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