Marijuana bales found in clogged Ariz. sewer line

[March 12, 2011]  NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) -- Authorities in a southern Arizona city near the Mexico border have found two feces-covered bales of marijuana tied to a rope feeding into a sewer system.

Nogales police say public works employees hauled out an estimated 39 pounds of pot while investigating a clogged sewer line Wednesday. Investigators told the Nogales International newspaper that the bales were smaller than the size of a suitcase and tied to 900 feet of rope in a narrow pipe that connects systems in the U.S. and Mexico. Police Lt. Carlos Jimenez says it's the first time they've discovered marijuana tied to a rope they believe smugglers were planning to maneuver through the line. Police say a search at the Rio Rico sewer plant, where the feed ends, did not turn up more drugs. The drugs' street value was estimated at more than $20,000. [Associated Press] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.