Spicy subterfuge

COLUMBUS, New Mexico - Authorities say an immigrant suspected of entering the country illegally attempted to make his journey in a shipment of red chile.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at a New Mexico border checkpoint said the man was discovered Thursday face down among a commercial load of the spicy stuff.

Zero tolerance

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. - A 73-year-old man who was given the first civil marijuana ticket in a Vermont town says he had planted some seeds he found in a box and 'got spanked' by police after it grew into a pot plant. 

William Reynolds was issued a $200 civil ticket by St. Johnsbury police after authorities seized a potted 2 1/2-foot-tall marijuana plant from his Main Street apartment.