1,400 POUNDS OF 'B.C. BUD' SEIZED AT BORDER

BLAINE -- U.S. Customs Service inspectors seized more than 1,400 pounds of
potent "B.C. Bud" marijuana from the back of a beer truck at the
U.S.-Canadian border crossing at Blaine Tuesday evening.

Customs officials called the bust the biggest ever along the northern
border, exceeding the 980 pounds seized in October.

Officials at the commercial truck crossing, randomly checking the backs of
trucks, were startled by the strong odor of marijuana when they opened the
door of the truck. An examination revealed 34 large hockey bags filled with
the pot, dispersed among a shipment of bottled beer.

The driver of the truck, which was headed for California, was arrested and
is now in Whatcom County Jail. The man, was not identified.

Since October, customs officials say they have nabbed more than 2 tons of
marijuana at the border, placing its street value at about $12 million.