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UPS Helps Police Bust $6 Million Connecticut Cocaine Delivery
By
Ben Yakas
Published May 19, 2011
Modified May 19, 2011
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By
Ben Yakas
Published May 19, 2011
Modified May 19, 2011
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Connecticut police seized more than $6 million worth of cocaine yesterday which authorities are calling one of the biggest drug busts in state history. And they couldn't have done it without logistics-obsessed delivering company UPS.
Police have arrested Edwin Olivo, of the Bronx, who tried to pick up the package, which contained over 100 kilograms (or 220 pounds) of cocaine, from the UPS Supply Chain Solution in Windsor Locks yesterday afternoon. UPS tipped off police about the suspicious package—and from the description of it, we're not entirely surprised. According to police, the shipment was so large that the shipping company had to use a forklift to deliver the package to the suspect's vehicle.
The package was labeled as containing elevator parts, but UPS became especially suspicious after someone identifying themselves as "James Smith" called and asked for it to be held for pickup at the store. The box was held together in ragged form, with screws and glue to prevent air from leaking out.
Olivo was charged with numerous narcotics related offenses and held on $2 million bond, but he told police he does odd jobs for people, and claimed a friend asked him to pick up the box and bring it back to the Bronx. The Connecticut state police sounded pretty excited at his news conference unveiling: "This is one of the largest seizures in recent times in the state of Connecticut. This will have a massive impact on the cocaine trafficking in this state. Again, the street value of this six million dollars," said spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance.
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cocaine
connecticut
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UPS
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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