MYSTERIOUS MAP LEADS TO BURIED TREASURE IN PALM BEACH

A mysterious map locked in a safe deposit box led investigators to a buried
treasure hidden in a suburban backyard.

Authorities found $1 million in bills of $10, $20, $50 and $100 stuffed in
a dozen Tupperware containers buried 3 feet under ground in what may turn
out to be one of the largest cash seizures in Palm Beach County history.

The money was discovered as part of an ongoing investigation of a marijuana
growing and distribution network in Palm Beach County, U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration officials said.

Property records listed Richard T. Schmidt as the owner of the house where
the money was found. DEA officials would not say whether Schmidt had been
charged.

"My dog got loose in his yard a couple of times," said across-the-street
neighbor Mike Nee. "When I heard, I thought, 'Damn, I wish my dog could
smell money.'"

The investigation began eight months ago when Palm Beach County sheriff's
investigators, West Palm Beach Police and DEA agents searched houses and
safe deposit boxes in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Officials said the investigation has turned up at least $3 million in
marijuana in searches in suburban West Palm Beach, Jupiter and other
undisclosed locations.

Investigators raided two houses on Tuesday and found keys to three safe
deposit boxes. Inside one of the boxes, they found a crudely drawn map, a
rough outline of a house and back yard.