B.C. MARIJUANA HAUL WORTH US $5.6-MILLION

VANCOUVER - Police and customs officers on both side of the border are
trying to piece together the events that led to the seizure of more
than US$5.6-million in marijuana hidden in a shipment of wood shavings.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Mike Milne said yesterday
858 kilograms of pot were found in shrink-wrapped bags on wooden
pallets during a routine secondary inspection at the truck crossing in
Blaine, Wash., at about 3 a.m. on Saturday.

The bags of shavings were placed upon the pallets.

The commercial truck, trailer and cargo were seized and the driver was
questioned and released without being charged.

Mr. Milne said the RCMP are investigating because the cargo originated
in B.C.

The load was destined for California but Mr. Milne refused to provide
any other details about the case.

"We're not giving the names of the companies because we don't want to
cast aspersions on anybody until we investigate it," Mr. Milne said.

He said the driver was released because he couldn't be linked to the
B.C. marijuana.

Mr. Milne said the seizure was the result of a combination of
anti-smuggling devices, and the investigation is continuing.