PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

The Trinidad and Tobago coastguard said it has seized marijuana worth more than TT$5 million (US$833,3000), as well as two animals believed to be used in the illegal drugs trade.

A statement issued by the coastguard said that the seizure, which also included 13 cases of beer and 12 sticks of fireworks, occurred aboard a vessel on Tuesday.

"When the vessel was boarded, several crocus bags, one live pig and one live goat were observed on board," the coastguard said in the statement, adding that two suspects, ages 42 and 48, had been detained for questioning.

It said that the compressed marijuana, which was gift-wrapped, weighed 559 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of TT$5.5 million (US$916,600).

Origin

The coastguard believes that the illegal goods originated from Venezuela and the police said they were examining the possibility that the animals were being used to transport illegal drugs and would be tested to determine if they were fed cocaine pellets.