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Indiana State Police said today that they have broke up a drug-smuggling operation that transported 2,350 pounds of marijuana from Mexico to a Northwestside neighborhood.
Police estimate the 203 bricks of pot seized Monday evening have a street value of $1 million.
The six accused smugglers, who police would not identify, used a converted cargo van fitted to resemble a well-known mail courier. The smugglers wore uniforms and hats to appear like employees of that company. The drugs were then packaged in wooden crates affixed with phony shipping stickers, said State Police Sgt. Ray Poole.
Police did not reveal the name of the company that smugglers imitated but "it looked real," said State Trooper Dean Wildauer.
Police had been investigating the operation for about a month. Neighbors became suspicious when they saw men taking items from the courier truck and stacking them in the garage of a home in the 5900 block of Gateway West Drive. Acting on the tip, authorities raided the house at 6:30 p.m. Monday, arresting five people. The sixth person was arrested in Beech Grove. Additional arrests are pending.
State Trooper Todd Hix said the marijuana had been compressed into small suitcase-sized bales, then wrapped in clear or light green plastic. Those bales were coated with axle grease to mask the smell.
Indianapolis' highway access can make the city appealing for legal and illegal business, said Indianapolis Police Sgt. Paul McDonald. "Unfortunately, we're a crossroads," said McDonald, who was part of the narcotics team that made the seizure. "It's an excellent place for business -- and for drug business."
Poole said it was the largest marijuana bust he has seen in 20 years of law enforcement. The men are facing multiple narcotics charges, Poole said.
By Tom Spalding
tom.spalding@indystar.com
https://www.indystar.com/articles/4/202130-2124-092.html
Police estimate the 203 bricks of pot seized Monday evening have a street value of $1 million.
The six accused smugglers, who police would not identify, used a converted cargo van fitted to resemble a well-known mail courier. The smugglers wore uniforms and hats to appear like employees of that company. The drugs were then packaged in wooden crates affixed with phony shipping stickers, said State Police Sgt. Ray Poole.
Police did not reveal the name of the company that smugglers imitated but "it looked real," said State Trooper Dean Wildauer.
Police had been investigating the operation for about a month. Neighbors became suspicious when they saw men taking items from the courier truck and stacking them in the garage of a home in the 5900 block of Gateway West Drive. Acting on the tip, authorities raided the house at 6:30 p.m. Monday, arresting five people. The sixth person was arrested in Beech Grove. Additional arrests are pending.
State Trooper Todd Hix said the marijuana had been compressed into small suitcase-sized bales, then wrapped in clear or light green plastic. Those bales were coated with axle grease to mask the smell.
Indianapolis' highway access can make the city appealing for legal and illegal business, said Indianapolis Police Sgt. Paul McDonald. "Unfortunately, we're a crossroads," said McDonald, who was part of the narcotics team that made the seizure. "It's an excellent place for business -- and for drug business."
Poole said it was the largest marijuana bust he has seen in 20 years of law enforcement. The men are facing multiple narcotics charges, Poole said.
By Tom Spalding
tom.spalding@indystar.com
https://www.indystar.com/articles/4/202130-2124-092.html
