Way To Go Harris County's Finest!

From KHOU.com:

$40 million of marijuana seized in northwest Harris County

Officials seized tens of thousands pounds of marijuana Wednesday night in northwest Harris County.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the narcotics unit got a tip that Louis Mendez was allegedly in possession of the drugs and driving a tractor-trailer.

A K-9 deputy saw Mendez driving away from a warehouse in the 7300 block of West Road without headlights and pulled him over. Officials said they found a small amount of drugs in the truck, giving them a reason to search the warehouse.

They found 502 bails of marijuana inside of the warehouse, valued at approximately $40 million.

"I think somebody's upset because up to $40 million in marijuana, $40 million out of the back pocket -- I believe I'd be a little upset about that," Harris County Lt. J.D. Glesmann said.

A vehicle and an assault rifle were also taken from the scene.

The drugs are encased in calcium carbonate, profesionally wrapped and covered in charcoal. It amounts to anywhere from 14,000 to 23,000 pounds.

"We're just shocked," Lt. Glesmann said. "I've been in narcotics since '93, and I've never seen a load of marijuana as big as this."

Investigators believe the warehouse was a distribution point. The bundles were labeled with "Camaro" and "Ford," which indicate they may have been bound for shipment in nondescript cars across the country.

Mendez has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

He is in the Harris County Jail.

Deputies will drill into the bales to take samples of the marijuana, and then they will burn the rest. (Hmm... everyone see that video that going around about the reporter reporting on such a thing and getting high as a kite? FunKnee stuff!)

BTW the Chronicle's version has pictures, but I'm not sure if I can 'steal' them for republication even though I'm super good about giving credit to everything I borrow.... the bad part if that link will die off pretty darn quickly .....