Postal workers were caught mailing fake cocaine provided to them by local investigators. The sixteen postal workers were arrested for agreeing to move the fake drugs provided by someone posing as a drug dealer in a systematic operation.
The workers were arrested the morning of Aug. 31. They worked at post offices across the metro Atlanta area. The employees were charged with accepting bribes, as 11 Alive reported.
The FBI started the sting operation over 18 months ago after receiving tips that postal employees were running drugs through the mail. Investigators put a fake drug dealer on the streets to see how many postal employees would participate in drug running.
Those choosing to engage in the drug running scheme recruited other postal workers for added profits. The ages of those involved with the criminal activity range from 25 to 63.
Most of those involved were letter carriers, but a postal clerk also took part.
“In exchange for the bribe payments, these individuals allegedly provided special addresses that the drug trafficker could use to ship packages of cocaine. The defendants then intercepted the packages and delivered them to the drug trafficker. Unbeknownst to them, the drug trafficker was actually working with law enforcement and the packages they delivered contained fake drugs,” read a statement from the Department of Justice.
The FBI arrested the workers while they were still in their postal service uniforms.
“For a simple few extra bucks in their pockets, they were willing to not only bring dangerous drugs, what they believed to be dangerous drugs, into our community, but they also jeopardized the safety of their co-workers, and the residents that they serve,” said acting U. S. Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia John A. Horn, to 11 Alive.
The Justice Department (DOJ) included a reminder in its statement to warn people about jumping to conclusions too quickly. “Members of the public are reminded that the indictments only contain charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.”
The DOJ listed the defendants, their job titles, ages, and branch assignments in the statement:
Cydra Rochelle Alexander, 31, of Riverdale, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Ralph McGill Carrier Annex and Central City Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Aurthamis O. Burch, aka “Tank,” 46, of Snellville, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Doraville Post Office.
Kawana Rashun Champion, 35, of Jonesboro, Georgia, a clerk assigned to the North Springs Branch of the Sandy Springs Post Office and Central City Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Eleanor Lolita Golden, aka Eleanor Johnson, 54, of East Point, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the West End Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Tonie Harris, 54, of Decatur, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Sandy Springs Post Office.
Leea Janel Holt, 38, of Atlanta, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Old National Branch of the Riverdale Post Office.
Clifton Curtis Lee, aka “Cliff,” 41, of Lithonia, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Sandy Springs Post Office.
Shakeed Anilah Magee, 40, of College Park, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the West End Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Horace Manson, 40, of Roswell, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the West End Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Olivia Marita Moore, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Old National Branch of the Riverdale Post Office.
Eddie Nash, 63, of Decatur, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the West End Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Jeffrey A. Pearson, 59, of Austell, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Decatur Post Office.
Rodney Antwain Salter, 33, of Jonesboro, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Martech Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Frank Webb, 40, of Lithonia, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Central City Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Katrina Nicole Wilson, aka “Trina,” 38, of Fairburn, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the West End Branch of the Atlanta Post Office.
Harvel Donta Young, aka “Dante,” 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, a letter carrier assigned to the Westside Annex Branch of the Marietta Post Office.
From NTD.tv
