Chief Huff gives high praise for marijuana seizure

A routine inspection of a tractor trailer rig this week in Hancock County led to the seizure of 7,000 pounds of marijuana.

Tuesday morning, Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) Enforcement Officers stopped a 2005 Peterbilt tractor and van trailer at the east bound I-10 Hancock County inspection facility.

While conducting a routine cargo and trailer inspection, the officers discovered 126 plastic wrapped bundles of marijuana. Each bundle weighed about 55 pounds. Investigators said if all that pot had made it to the streets, it would have been worth about $7 million.

Also on board the trailer were 55 gallon barrels of mango puree.

"This is a significant seizure. I am very proud of our officers and their diligence," said Chief Willie Huff, MDOT's Director of Enforcement. "We must continue our vigilance for all types of contraband before it reaches our streets or impacts our Homeland Security."

MDOT Enforcement, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the federal Drug Enforcement Administrations are still trying to figure out where the drugs came from, and where they were headed. Until they know that, no charges have been filed against the driver.