Border Patrol finds 67 pounds of pot hidden in a casket
(CBS NEWS) TUCSON, Ariz. -- A 28-year-old man who attempted to smuggle more than 67 pounds of marijuana in a casket while driving a hearse through Arizona has been arrested, CBS affiliate KPHO reports.
According to Border Patrol agents, the American citizen was arrested Saturday on suspicion of smuggling narcotics and contraband.
Willcox #USBP agents arrest 1, seize hearse with over 67lbs. of marijuana in smuggling effort near Whetstone #AlwaysVigilant #HonorFirst pic.twitter.com/umW4NXgMJJ
— CBP Arizona (@CBPArizona) April 30, 2017
Authorities encountered the man during an immigration checkpoint in Tucson, the station reports. When a canine unit detected an odor emitting from the vehicle, border patrol agents conducted a search and discovered several bricks of marijuana -- worth an estimated street value of more than $33,000 -- hidden inside of a casket.
Further investigation revealed the would-be smuggler placed several bags of manure within the casket in an effort to mask the odor of the drugs.
Agents subsequently seized the hearse and drugs at the scene.
