NATION NOW

Border Patrol finds 67 pounds of pot hidden inside casket

Meghan Finnerty
The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX — Rather than the dead inside a hearse, Border Patrol agents found marijuana inside a closed casket over the weekend, officials said.

Customs and Boarder Patrol agents seized $33,000 of drugs found in a closed casket near Tucson, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents.

Willcox Border Patrol agents stopped a hearse near Tombstone and found 67 pounds of marijuana inside a casket, according to officials. The marijuana had been covered with manure to mask the smell.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of narcotics and contraband smuggling, and seized the drugs, according to a statement.

Agents called in a canine unit and searched the hearse after noticing inconsistencies in the man's story to officials.

The bricks of marijuana are estimated to be worth more than $33,000, Border Patrol agents said.

Follow Meghan Finnerty on Twitter: @Finnerty_Meghan

Related:

Marijuana may be a miracle treatment for children with autism

Colorado now has the first drive-thru pot shop

Happy 4/20! Get a contact high from these TV shows and movies