Victor Pacheco has always dreamed about being a Policeman.

So when he found himself starting a major Police drugs investigation this week, he was buzzing with excitement.

Mr. Pacheco turned detective as he was preparing to cut open some pumpkins at Harrington Hundreds Groceries and Liquor Store.

He noticed each pumpkin was held together by pins -- and inside, carefully wrapped in plastic, was a stash of marijuana.

"I knew straight away it was drugs, because I've seen stuff like that in the movies,'' the 23-year-old produce manager told The Royal Gazette .

"I immediately informed my boss, and we called the cops.'' He added: "I'm an honest citizen, and don't want to get involved in anything like drugs.

"I suppose if somebody else had found the drugs they could have kept their mouths shut and held on to them, but I'm not like that.'' The pumpkins had been shipped to Canada from Jamaica, and flown to Bermuda on Monday.

Winter Cookson Petty Ltd began distributing them to local supermarkets.

For Bermuda-born Mr. Pacheco, a Portuguese citizen, Tuesday's drugs seizure gave him a tantalising taste of what it is like to get on the trail of a criminal.

"I have been trying to join the Police Service, but I didn't get the chance to do so,'' he said.

"I like the idea of catching criminals, and I would really love to be a Policeman.'' In the meantime, Mr. Pacheco, who lives off White Sands Road, Paget, is happy to know he has taken about 30 pounds of cannabis off Bermuda's streets.

"I feel I've done a big thing for the community. Bermuda is very lucky.'' Police yesterday were probing possible links between the drugs find and a break-in at Winter Cookson.

The premises were broken into between 5 p.m. on Tuesday and 7.15 a.m.

yesterday. Nothing was stolen.

"All I can say is that there could be some connection between the two incidents,'' said Police spokeswoman Insp. Roseanda Jones.

ON THE CUTTING EDGE -- Getting stuck into another drugs case? Victor Pacheco slicing up some pumpkins yesterday at his store. This time, they contained no hidden surprises.