54 pounds of pot found at UMC


By Jesse Lewis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Investigation continues into 2 boxes found on loading dock

Two medium-sized boxes containing 54 pounds of marijuana were found March 19 at 7 a.m. on a loading dock at University Medical Center.

Two employees discovered the boxes had been left at the loading docks and became suspicious, according to Tucson Police Department reports.

The employees determined that the return name on both boxes was not real, and they opened the boxes to find marijuana wrapped in cellophane.

TPD narcotics officers arrived at the docks and took custody of the marijuana and the original shipping receipts to continue the investigation, reports stated.

Sgt. Judy Altieri, TPD spokeswoman, said the case was still under investigation.

Police have no suspects or witnesses, Altieri said.

Katie Riley, UMC spokeswoman, said there is no way UMC could identify a suspect.

"The docks are open to anybody; lots of traffic comes through," she said.

UAPD did not respond to the incident because it is TPD's jurisdiction.

UAPD is responsible for some parts of UMC, such as classrooms, but not for the hospital itself, said Sgt. Eugene Mejia, UAPD spokesman.

If you have any information regarding this case, call Tucson police at 791-4444.