NATCHEZ — Natchez-Adams Metro Narcotics seized approximately 10 pounds of marijuana and two vehicles — including a Jaguar luxury vehicle — Friday afternoon after reportedly catching an alleged buyer picking up the drugs from the post office.

Metro Commander David Lindsey said the drugs were worth approximately $3,000 a pound if sold by the pound but approximately $12,000 a pound if broken down and sold by the gram.

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said his office first got word from a postal inspector about a suspicious package.

A drug dog reportedly hit on the package after it was identified as suspicious, Mayfield said.

The 9.8 pound package had originally been addressed to 601 Old Washington Road — which is the street address for Holiday Apartments — but did not have an apartment number.

The package was returned but the intended recipient, Antoine Dewayne Spates, 35, 1024 River St., Jacksonville, N.C., reportedly contacted the post office about the package.

After coordinating with the post office, Metro Narcotics agents positioned themselves around it and — after Spates received the package — moved in to surround him at approximately 2 p.m. Friday, Mayfield said.

After questioning, the suspect gave the agents permission to search the box. The return address on the box was for a publishing house in California, and Spates reportedly told the agents he was writing a book, Mayfield said.

Instead of manuscript galleys, however, agents found five vacuum-sealed packages of approximately two pounds each containing what the sheriff characterized as “high grade” marijuana.

After seizing the drugs, agents likewise seized the vehicle Spates arrived at the post office in — a Chevrolet Suburban — and the Jaguar vehicle, which was at his hotel room. Both of the vehicles had North Carolina tags.

They also seized $522 in cash, Lindsey said.

Mayfield said one of the vehicles had money gram receipts in it and Spates told agents others had gone in on the drug purchase with him, but refused to give them names.

Spates was booked into the Adams County jail on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He did not have a bond set Friday afternoon.