LILLE, France, Oct 3, 2008 (AFP) - French customs have seized nearly two tonnes of marijuana with a street value of nine million euros (12.5 million dollars) from a truck at the Franco-Belgian border, officials said Friday.

Some 56 burlap bags containing the 1,790 kilos were found behind crates of computer equipment when the heavy-loaded truck with Portuguese plates was searched on September 24, said a statement from the budget ministry.

The Portuguese driver told police he thought the bags contained tobacco, a police source said.

The truck was intercepted at the Camphin-en-Pevele border crossing as it headed to Belgium.