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Wis. Woman Finds $280K Of Drugs In Vacuum

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- A Green Bay woman found more than just dirt with her refurbished vacuum cleaner she received for Christmas. She found a load of drugs.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports the woman found two pounds of crystal methamphetamine and 2.2 pounds of cocaine shrink wrapped inside the box, after receiving the vacuum from her children. Sheriff's officials estimate the drugs' street value at about $280,000.

Lt. David Poteat says a smuggler likely inserted the drugs in the box before it was shipped from the Juarez, Mexico, area, where it had been reconditioned.

Poteat says no one noticed anything, including the department store where it was purchased, until the woman opened the package.

Authorities don't plan to charge the woman. Sheriff's officials say the store is cooperating with the investigation.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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