76 pounds of pot found in truck on Ambassador Bridge
76 pounds of pot were discovered in the back of a semi truck, Customs said. (Image courtesy: Customs and Border Protection)
DETROIT (WJBK) - An approved member of the Custom's 'trusted trader' program was caught smuggling 76 pounds of pot in a shipment of auto parts, Customs said on Thursday.
In a press release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBP) said a member of CBP's Free and Secure Trade (FAST) trusted trader program was crossing the Ambassador Bridge on Wednesday. The FAST system allows drivers who commonly pass through customs to do so, faster.
When the 56-year-old driver went through customs, he declared only auto parts in his semi. The truck was referred for an x-ray, which showed odd shapes in the rear of the trailer.
When officers opened the truck, they found two large duffel bags with 68 bundles of marijuana.
"The Free and Secure Trade program affords low risk drivers to move through customs between the United States and Canada with minimal delay." said John Nowak, Acting Port Director, Detroit. "Violations will result in immediate revocation and in this case, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."
The driver, a United States citizen, was arrested and the pot was handed over to Homeland Security.