DOGGED BY DOPE

FREDERICTON -- A woman is considering legal action against the Canada
Customs and Revenue Agency after a bag of marijuana was planted in her
luggage as part of a training exercise.

Jackie McCormick of Fredericton came home March 8 after a three-week
stay in Florida.

But it wasn't until the next morning when she unpacked her duffle bag
that she found a clear plastic bag of marijuana at the bottom. The
small bag had a Revenue Canada label attached to it.

"My eyes just about popped out of my head," the 70-year-old woman
said.

After having the marijuana returned to Canada Customs officials by the
Fredericton Police Department, she learned the drugs had been planted
in her checked bag at the Moncton, N.B., airport where her plane
landed. The plant was supposed to be part of a dog-training exercise.

The situation has been resolved following an internal investigation,
says Jacinthe LeBlanc, communications manager of the New Brunswick
office of Canada Customs.

"We sincerely apologize," she said. "We're sure it created some
stress."