Bags of charcoal shipped to area grocery stores were filled with pot

Bags of charcoal delivered to at least two local grocery stores contained tightly wrapped bricks of marijuana, police say.

Acting on a tip Tuesday morning, police found six tightly wrapped bricks of marijuana hidden in bags of charcoal at the Lowe’s Grocery store in San Saba.

None of the Encino Brand charcoal made it to the store’s shelves.

Store managers were shocked, but thankful that none of it went home with customers.

"The people at Lowe's were very helpful in the investigation." San Saba police Chief Ray Riggs said.

Meanwhile, in nearby Mason, a woman purchased a bag of charcoal from Lowe's and was stunned when she opened it.

"Inside there were six small bags of marijuana. About a pound of it." said a Mason county sheriff's deputy.

"We're very fortunate that it was sold to an honest customer." he added.

Investigators went through the store’s remaining inventory of Encino Charcoal but nothing else was found.

According to a Lowe's manager, Encino Charcoal is packaged in Mexico.

The manager said bags shipped to other stores in nearby towns were also inspected but so far, nothing else has turned up.