Cocaine Trafficked In Nassau Using Kids Construction Block Sets: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Freeport man has been arraigned for allegedly operating as a major trafficker of cocaine, prosecutors announced.

Elson Forestier, 34, faces several charges as a result of a search warrant in May that revealed he had nearly 2.5 kilograms of cocaine and more than $12,000 in cash at his home, Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly said.

Forestier pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $1 million cash, $5 million bond and $10 million partially secured bond.

"More than $180,000 worth of cocaine was found during a search of this defendant’s home in Freeport, where it was allegedly contained in the empty packaging of children’s construction block sets and boxes wrapped up to look like birthday presents," Donnelly said. “Even though the drugs were shrink-wrapped inside the boxes to conceal them from detection, Nassau County Police Department K9 ‘Chief’ was able to sniff out the illicit substance.”

Approximately two kilograms of cocaine were wrapped in boxes with birthday wrapping paper and concealed within emptied toy packaging in an alleged attempt to evade law enforcement. An additional half kilogram was found in the defendant’s bedroom closet, the DA's office said.

Forestier allegedly received shipments of kilograms of cocaine directly from Puerto Rico to his residence in Freeport for more than a year.

He is due back in court on August 23, 2023. If convicted, Forestier faces up to 25 years to life in prison.