Border Patrol finds 67 pounds of pot hidden in a casket

Photo via CNN

TUCSON, Ariz. (CBS) 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.

Local Headlines

2 people wanted in multiple Fort Myers burglaries

Crime Stoppers is seeking information on two suspects who are wanted in multiple burglaries in Fort Myers.

Convicted Tampa armed robber faces 100 years in prison after a traffic stop in Collier County

A man known as the “Beretta Bandit,” who had been convicted of several armed robberies in Tampa, faces a lifetime in prison after a 2021 Collier County traffic stop led to his arrest.