Years-old stash of marijuana found inside NM woman's van

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) - A New Mexico woman drove a van for more than 13 years without realizing there was marijuana hidden inside.

Melodie Peil told the Alamogordo Daily News (http://bit.ly/1Ep572B ) she bought a 1990 Chevrolet van at a local dealership in 2001 so she would have room to transport her daughter's children.

Until Friday, she had no idea that on trips to softball games and on vacations out of town she had been transporting 13 1/2 pounds of marijuana hidden in one of the vehicle's doors.

A family friend discovered the marijuana when he removed a door panel to repair a broken handle.

Inside a hole cut in the door were five bricks of marijuana covered in plastic wrap and foil.

Police say the marijuana is so old that it's worthless.

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Information from: Alamogordo Daily News, http://www.alamogordonews.com