175 Pounds Of Cocaine Sent By Company Called "Santa's Helpers"

[matcom]

<snip>

CLEVELAND -- The packages were labeled as toys for good girls and boys and the business was called Santa's Helpers. But authorities say the packages were nothing more than a naughty ruse to cover a large-scale drug smuggling operation.

The bogus business tried to smuggle $7.8 million worth of cocaine from Los Angeles to nearby Willoughby, authorities said. Drug agents seized about 175 pounds of cocaine Monday in the largest seizure in Cleveland this year.

Four 55-gallon steel drums used as shipping containers raised suspicions. Billing information said the barrels contained toys, novelties and games.

Federal prosecutors charged Edward Boynton, 35, of Inglewood, Calif., with intent to possess cocaine. Boynton appeared in U.S. District Court on Tuesday. His attorney, Mary Jo Tipping, had no comment.

Authorities say police learned Friday of suspicious packages at the Roadway Express offices. Officers brought in a police dog, which picked up the scent of drugs. Officers confiscated the drums and called the Drug Enforcement Agency.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/4031883/detail.html

[SheepyMcSheepster]

1. but santa needs the magic dust to make the reindeer fly!

[Lost4words]

2. I wonder if the CIA was already paid for these drugs?

or will it impact their 2004 profit from clandestine operations?

[snippy]

3. Bush will be pissed. This was supposed to go to Crawford. n/t

[0007]

4. Now Dancer, now Prancer up o'er that wall hurry goddammit

before I cut out your balls.'

[tavalon]

5. Santa's Helpers indeed!

How else do you think he gets so much done in one night!? LOL

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Kinda reminds me of the "Pope of Pot" in NYC who had an 800 # and

would deliver pot to Wall Street, etc. via bike messengers.

The Pope, a/k/a Michael Cezar was arrested in ca. 1990 and sent to Riker's Island. He "founded a religion" that he called "The Church of the Realized Fantasy" and claimed that marijuana was the sacrament. Apparently he was very successful before he was busted.