Weymouth Man Trafficked Coke In Coffee Cans: Feds

WEYMOUTH, MA – A Weymouth man and North Dartmouth woman were arrested Saturday and charged with trafficking multiple kilograms of cocaine in coffee cans, the U.S. Attorney's office said. John Tavares, 31, and Cristina Lopez, 43, each face a charge of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Authorities say more than 40 parcels that had been mailed from Puerto Rico to addresses in Quincy, North Dartmouth, Weymouth and New Bedford were identified as suspicious. When federal agents searched two of the parcels, they seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine hidden in sealed coffee cans, according to the USAO.

Tavares and Lopez allegedly received the majority of the parcels and had been regularly flying from Massachusetts to Puerto Rico for trips lasting 30-72 hours, according to the USAO. Authorities say the parcels, which are believed to contain cocaine, were typically sent to Massachusetts within one to three days after their return.

Tavares has previously been convicted of firearms and drug offenses, according to the USAO. The pair appeared in federal court Monday afternoon.

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