No “White Christmas” for Randolph Man after 230gm Cocaine Seizure

BOSTON, Dec. 9, 2015—Local, state, and federal authorities intercepted the delivery of more than 200 grams of cocaine shipped from Colombia and took a Randolph man into custody for drug trafficking, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

Boston Police, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Suffolk DA’s office, and US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents yesterday arrested NONSO OBIORA (D.O.B. 5/30/87) after he took possession of the cocaine, which had been secreted in Christmas-themed package sent via UPS.

These "Christmas decorations" intercepted by federal agents contained more than 200 grams of cocaine destined for Boston's streets.

These “Christmas decorations” intercepted by federal agents contained more than 200 grams of cocaine destined for Boston’s streets.

Obiora was arraigned in Dorchester Municipal Court today and held on $250,000 cash bail. At the request of Assistant District Attorney Zachary Wallack, Obiora was additionally ordered to surrender his passport.

After receiving the package from Colombia late last week, personnel at a UPS facility presented it to Customs and Border Protection agents for inspection. Its manifest listed the contents as “Christmas decorations,” and it contained two cardboard tubes wrapped in glittery foil. CBP agents observed that the ends of the tubes were heavy and solid. They removed the bases and found that they contained a total of 230 grams of a powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. The package was resealed and forwarded to the Boston ICE field office.

The package was addressed to “Victor Velasquez” at a Dorchester residence, but investigative inquiries showed no person by that name living at the address. On Monday, Boston Police, State troopers, and ICE agents attempted a controlled delivery of the package but no one answered the door. They returned yesterday and a resident answered the doorbell, saying that “Velasquez” had said she could accept the package for him. When she signed for it, she was informed that it contained a large quantity of cocaine.

Based on the resident’s statements and other corroborative evidence, investigators allowed her to contact the intended recipient by text message and make arrangements for him to pick it up. He did so at about 3:00 yesterday afternoon, arriving at the residence, entering the apartment, and taking the package. When he attempted to leave, he was taken into custody.

During the arrest and booking process, investigators determined that “Velasquez” was in fact Obiora, that he had a prior conviction for possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute, and that he had an additional five grams of heroin in the Lexus ES300H he had driven to the scene.

Obiora will return to court on Jan. 5.

 

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.