Dartmouth woman arrested for allegedly receiving cocaine hidden in mailed coffee cans

Aug 20, 2018

Two people, including a Dartmouth resident, allegedly ordered more than coffee beans from Puerto Rico, and are now facing federal drug charges.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Boston office, Cristina Lopez, 43, of North Dartmouth, and John Tavares, 31, of Weymouth, were arrested on August 18. The pair each faces a charge of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to court documents, more than 40 parcels were sent from Puerto Rico to various residential addresses in Massachusetts, including Dartmouth. The parcels were flagged by federal agents as being suspicious because they were often sent on the same day from Puerto Rico to two or more different Massachusetts addresses.

When federal agents obtained a search warrant and opened the two of the parcels, they allegedly discovered approximately two kilograms of cocaine hidden inside sealed coffee cans.

Using surveillance footage, federal agents allege they identified Lopez and Tavares as the people receiving the packages. The pair had also allegedly frequently traveled to Puerto Rico for short, 30-to-72-hour trips. The parcels were allegedly shipped to Massachusetts within one to three days of their return.

The pair could face between five and 40 years in prison, and fines of up to $5 million if convicted.