Anthony
Super Moderator
Close to 12 pounds of cocaine were found hidden inside a picture frame delivered in Marion County, authorities say.
Authorities said the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was alerted about the picture at FedEx in Orlando when drug dogs indicated it contained drugs.
Investigators decided to set up a sting to seize the loaded painting frame full of cocaine.
They had undercover agent pose as a delivery person to bring the package to a man at an Ocala home Wednesday, police said.
As police watched the house, the man inside came out and put the picture into his truck and took off.
The investigators followed the man to the Green Gables Apartments, and that's when authorities entered the apartment and found Gabriel Ayala-Quiñones getting ready to take the frame apart.
Agents said they pulled 5.5 kilograms of cocaine from the frame. They also seized drugs stuffed in the freezer and more than $10,000 in cash from the apartment.
Gabriel Ayala-Quinones was arrested and booked into Marion County jail on $250,000 bond.
Authorities said the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was alerted about the picture at FedEx in Orlando when drug dogs indicated it contained drugs.
Investigators decided to set up a sting to seize the loaded painting frame full of cocaine.
They had undercover agent pose as a delivery person to bring the package to a man at an Ocala home Wednesday, police said.
As police watched the house, the man inside came out and put the picture into his truck and took off.
The investigators followed the man to the Green Gables Apartments, and that's when authorities entered the apartment and found Gabriel Ayala-Quiñones getting ready to take the frame apart.
Agents said they pulled 5.5 kilograms of cocaine from the frame. They also seized drugs stuffed in the freezer and more than $10,000 in cash from the apartment.
Gabriel Ayala-Quinones was arrested and booked into Marion County jail on $250,000 bond.
