MARIJUANA AND $1.4 MILLION SEIZED

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A tractor-trailer hauling more than four tons of
Mexican marijuana and containing $1.4 million in cash was seized outside a
farm that authorities had under surveillance for about a year.

Three men were arrested during Monday morning's raid, but two others
escaped into a nearby forest and were still at large Tuesday.

"We don't know who they are or where they are," said Customs Service agent
Jeff Jordan. "And we don't know how far up the food chain they go."

Authorities had received tips that the farm appeared to be a major
distribution point for a Mexican smuggling ring, Jordan said.

Investigators weren't sure if the marijuana was shipped across the
U.S.-Mexico border or loaded into the truck afterward, said Customs
spokesman Kevin Bell.

But Jordan said the drugs were concealed in boxes lined with carbon paper
and aluminum foil in an apparent attempt to evade drug detection devices at
the border. The truck also contained some household goods.