Associated Press
4:24 PM CST, November 19, 2008
CHICAGO - Federal officials have seized nearly five pounds of opium-soaked cloth concealed in pillow cases at O'Hare International Airport.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman said Wednesday the opium appears to be one in a series of shipments coming from Laos and sent to points around the Midwest.
A customs officer and his K-9 partner, Rambo, discovered the cases at an airport mail facility. The parcel was marked "traditional hand crafts" and destined for Minneapolis.
Officials say officers have seized nearly 167 pounds of opium and opium-soaked items in the last two months at O'Hare's foreign mail branch. Others shipments contained opium-soaked twigs or bars of soap.
Customs spokesman Brett Sturgeon says no charges have been filed.