Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 27, 1995 TAG: 9501270082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHATHAM LENGTH: Short
Walter Farmer, an assistant special agent with the Virginia State Police, said the cocaine was in eight duffel bags and a cardboard box hidden among the melons.
Law enforcement officials estimated the value of the drugs at several million dollars.
Trooper W.J. Wallace said the driver of a pickup truck swerved to miss hitting some dogs in the road. At the same time, the tractor-trailer, which had Canadian license plates, was passing in the left lane. The pickup hit the tractor-trailer, which ran off the road and overturned.
Two men, both from Canada, were in the tractor-trailer. Wallace wouldn't give their names.
They were being treated at Danville Regional Medical Center, said state police Sgt. Melvin Scott.
No charges had been filed as of Thursday night.
Watermelon boxes in the trailer indicated the fruit was packed and shipped by companies in Edinburg and Hidalgo, both in Texas. Police wouldn't say where the truck was headed.
One of the duffel bags was found among melons that had spilled from the trailer. The other duffel bags and cardboard box were found in the truck.
by CNB