José Delacruz, a resident of The Bronx (NYC), was arrested on drug trafficking charges after a cocaine cache of 110 pounds was discovered, valued at $1.25 million dollars, inside a truck carrying party snacks, prosecutors said yesterday.
Delacruz, aged 57, was indicted in Manhattan Supreme Court on a series of drug-related charges after the huge cocaine shipment was intercepted in Virginia in last October, hidden among party food.
She had allegedly arranged for her cousin Luis Delacruz to drive the bulk shipment of drugs from Texas to New York, prosecutors said, citing an intercepted call the 30 of September.
Only a few days later, José Delacruz received several calls from Luis, telling him to prepare to pick up the stash at an undisclosed location. around October 9, using “girl” as a code word for cocaine. But before the shipment could reach NYC, authorities detained Luis at a truck stop in Raphine, Virginia, in the early hours of October 6.
The cocaine was found hidden in two duffel bags inside the truck carrying boxes full of food, including sandwiches and salsa, prosecutors said.
A subsequent raid on José Delacruz’s apartment in the Bronx allegedly uncovered about $24,600 dollars in cash, a kilo press used to turn drugs into bricks, and a counter money. Investigators said a hidden compartment on Delacruz’s bathroom floor was empty, but smelled strongly of cocaine.
Delacruz was arrested on 11 January on charges of operating as a major trafficker, conspiracy and criminal possession of a controlled substance. His bail was set at $300, 000 dollars. His cousin was also arrested and faces federal charges in Virginia, reported New York Post.600