A suspicious FedEx package headed from Belize to Kenosha led authorities to find more than 1 kilo of cocaine and a felony charge filed Friday against a 24-year-old Kenosha woman.
Stefany L. Gomez, of the 900 block of 48th Street, is free on a $5,000 cash bond set during her initial appearance by Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Larry Keating.
According to information included in the criminal complaint: On Jan. 31, a special agent with U.S. Homeland Security alerted the Kenosha Special Investigations Unit that a package headed to Kenosha had been intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Miami International Airport.
Investigators from Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office, have found a shipment of almost 20,000 coconuts that concealed liquid cocaine. Police halted a container that intended to leave the port of Cartagena (Bolívar) bound for Genoa (Italy), and anti-narcotics personnel found 504 canvas bags containing 19,780 export-type coconuts. Upon inspection, it was established that the water in the tropical fruit had been exchanged for liquid cocaine. In this sense, the coconuts were transferred to a specialized laboratory to establish the exact amount of drug. Investigations continue to establish the exact point where the almost 20,000 coconuts were loaded and identify those responsible. Contact will be made with the Italian authorities to be clear about the drug trafficking structure that would receive the cocaine.
The package was opened and found to contain an envelope with a “white powdery substance inside.” The vacuum-packed plastic bag reportedly contained 1.089 kilograms that tested positive for cocain and was deemed “far too large for personal use and is indicative of intent to sell,” according to the complaint.
Authorities also stated the defendant’s Kenosha residence has been receiving packages since 2020 from a shipper in Hong Kong that is known to be connected to individuals currently under investigation by Homeland Security for narcotics and money laundering.
People are also reading…
SWAT team deployed
On Feb. 2, a member of the Special Investigations Unit delivered the package to Gomez’s residence, and a detective observed a female there pick up the package, read what was on it and take it inside.
Members of the SIU and Kenosha Police Department SWAT then executed a search warrant of the residence, where they found Gomez and her 10-month-old child.
Inside the home, police reported finding a bin with a package of baby formula that contained 14 grams of marijuana, along with a plastic container of small marijuana cigar ends on a dresser and a glass smoking pipe in the closet.
Officers also reported finding two corner-cut plastic bags on the floor of an entry room, a digital scale, a marijuana bong, 2.5 grams of marijuana, and inside the garbage, a large heat-sealed empty bag that smelled like marijuana.
Police spoke with Gomez, who stated she lives at the residence with her boyfriend and their child. She told police when she saw the package came from Belize, she assumed it was meant for him, because that’s where he’s from. Gomez admitted the marijuana belonged to her, but denied knowing about the contents of the package.
Detectives reviewed the defendant’s cell phone and uncovered conversations regarding the sale of illicit drugs, along with videos that show Gomez weighing cocaine on a digital scale and others where she is seen recording amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine.
Additional conversations on the phone appear to show that Gomez is allegedly involved in prostitution, the complaint states, as people were asking for rates and what is offered, the complaint states.
Felony possession
Gomez is charged with a felony count of possession with intent to deliver more than 40 grams of cocaine, which carries a possible maximum prison term of 25 years, 15 years extended supervision and a fine of $10,000.
The defendant also faces a felony charge of neglecting a child, which carries a possible prison term of 18 months, two years extended supervision and a $10,000 fine, along with misdemeanor counts of possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gomez is due in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.
Today in history: Feb. 7
1948: Omar Bradley
In 1948, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower resigned as U.S. Army chief of staff; he was succeeded by Gen. Omar Bradley.
1964: The Beatles
In 1964, the Beatles arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to begin their first American tour.
1984: Spacewalk
In 1984, space shuttle Challenger astronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart went on the first untethered spacewalk, which lasted nearly six hours.
1985: Enrique “Kiki” Camarena
In 1985, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was kidnapped in Guadalajara, Mexico, by drug traffickers who tortured and murdered him.
1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide
In 1991, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was inaugurated as the first democratically elected president of Haiti (he was overthrown by the military the following September).
2009: Lake Erie
In 2009, a miles-wide section of ice in Lake Erie broke away from the Ohio shoreline, trapping about 135 fishermen, some for as long as four hours before they could be rescued (one man fell into the water and later died of an apparent heart attack).
2012: Rick Santorum
Ten years ago: In a setback for Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum swept GOP caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado and a non-binding primary in Missouri.
2014: Sochi Olympics
In 2014, the Sochi Olympics opened with a celebration of Russia’s past greatness and hopes for future glory.
2017: Betsy DeVos
Five years ago: Charter school advocate Betsy DeVos won confirmation as education secretary by the slimmest of margins, pushed to approval only by the historic tie-breaking vote of Vice President Mike Pence.
2020: Donald Trump
In 2020, two days after his acquittal in his first Senate impeachment trial, President Donald Trump took retribution against two officials who had delivered damaging testimony; he ousted Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a national security aide, and Gordon Sondland, his ambassador to the European Union.
2021: Pope Francis
One year ago: Pope Francis resumed greeting the public in St. Peter’s Square, seven weeks after he interrupted the Sunday noon ritual to discourage crowds from gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One year ago: After moving south to a new team and conference, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 31-9 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on the Buccaneers’ home field. Despite an order from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor requiring masks at Super Bowl parties, videos went viral on social media showing throngs of mostly maskless fans and packed sports bars as the hometown Buccaneers won the championship.
