CHARLEVOIX, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A major cocaine pipeline tied to Charlevoix has been dismantled, and six people are facing criminal enterprise charges after several months of investigation.
The criminal affidavit said the cocaine originated in Central America. Edgar Joel Beltran-Mercado mailed the cocaine from Puerto Rico to the Charlevoix Post Office. Next, the drugs were delivered to Omar Norberto Melendez Flores or other associates.
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Some of the shipments landed at a storage facility next door to the post office.
Charlevoix County Prosecutor Kit Tholen told the media that average daily use of a cocaine addict ranges from half-a-gram to three-and-a-half grams. He added that 2.2 pounds is 1,000 grams and that means hundreds of daily users were represented in each shipment.
Following the extradition of Beltran Mercado from Puerto Rico, all six were arrested and are making their way through the court system on a wide range of charges. Some are facing sex crimes.
