Cannon Used by Drug Cartels to Launch Pot Into US, Confiscated

This marijuana cannon reportedly used compressed air from a car engine to launch marijuana packages over the border between the U.S. and Mexico. (Mexicali Safety Department.)

MEXICALI, Mexico – Mexican police have recovered a device that appears to be one part 4th grade science project and one part evil genius. Despite its appearance, authorities say the makeshift device served as an effective tool for drug cartels until it was confiscated this week.

The Mexicali Safety Department is calling the device a “powerful improvised cannon used to hurl packets of marijuana across a border fence into California.” Authorities say the device is made out of plastic pipe and crude metal and is powered by an old car engine.

Powerful improvised cannon used to hurl packets of marijuana across a border fence into California
— Mexicali Safety Department

This isn’t the first time U.S. Border Patrol agents have seen such a device.

In December, agents found dozens of canisters of marijuana sprawled across Yuma, Ariz., each weighing about two pounds. Officials said the packages appeared to have been launched from up to 500 feet away.

Based on the weight of projectiles found in this newly-confiscated marijuana cannon — about 30 pounds — the Mexicali Safety Department believes this device likely delivered illicit packages into the U.S. from even deeper into Mexico.

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