Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jul 1999
Source: Vancouver Province (Canada)
Copyright: The Province, Vancouver 1999
Contact:  http://www.vancouverprovince.com/
Author: Jack Keating, Staff Reporter The Province

BUSTED! 

Routine Check By Customs Officers Turns Up 506 Kilos Of Pot Disguised As
Oily Machine Parts; Bust Is Largest Ever At Airport

Canada Customs has seized 506 kilograms of marijuana worth an estimated $7.5
million at Vancouver's airport.

"This is the largest marijuana seizure we've ever had at Vancouver
International Airport," said Kim Scoville, chief of airport customs operations.

The shipment, which originated in Johannesburg, arrived in the cargo section
on a regularly scheduled Lufthansa passenger airline flight from Frankfurt.

During a routine examination of two large crates Saturday, customs officers
discovered about 500 bricks of marijuana under some dark plastic in the
crates that were supposed to contain machine parts for marine vessels.

The bricks were carefully vacuum-sealed, then covered in oil to give the
appearance and odour of machinery parts.

"Upon examination, the two crates contained nothing but the 506 kilos of
marijuana bricks," said Scoville.

Customs and RCMP don't know whether the pot was for use in Vancouver or was
destined for Eastern Canada or the lucrative U.S. market. No arrests have
been made.

The marijuana was turned over to the RCMP's Vancouver drug section for
investigation. Samples will be taken for testing and analysis before the pot
is destroyed, said RCMP. 

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