11 UPS employees in Tucson, AZ have been arrested after being investigated for two years by the Department of Homeland security. The men have supposedly been trafficking drugs from Mexico into the U.S for 10 years, according to ABC 15.
The UPS employees involved consisted of drivers and supervisors. The drugs would be hidden in company package shipments. 49-year old Mario Barcelo is believed to be the leader of the ring. He is reported to be the one calling the shots on where each shipment went to as well.
Gary Love, 40; Michael Castro, 34, and Thomas Mendoza, 47, have been charged with money laundering, drug possession and drug distribution so far. Seven other UPS employees were hit with charges on shipping drugs and operating stash houses. Officials say that they found a stash of marijuana in one of the suspect’s hot tub, and at least 50,000 counterfeit THC vape pens.
“This investigation’s success is a direct result of the strong partnership between HSI Tucson and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners,” Chad Plantz, deputy special agent in charge for HSI Tucson, said in a statement. “Close coordination between law enforcement agencies and harnessing our collective resources is essential to ensuring alleged criminals like those arrested are removed from our community.”
