Hammond man tried to get heroin mailed to himself
By Teresa Auch Schultz Sun-Times Media December 17, 2012 6:32PM
Updated: December 17, 2012 6:34PM
A Hammond man is facing federal charges after police tracked more than four pounds of heroin to his house.
Roberto Ramirez Cardona is being held without bond pending a detention and probable cause hearing set for Tuesday.
The U.S. Postal Service first discovered the drugs when they inspected a suspicious package with no return address mailed to a Jennifer Watson in the at 6600 block of Van Buren Ave., Hammond, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Friday in the U.S. District Court in Hammond.
No one by that name lived there, however, and a police K-9 that inspected the package signaled it contained drugs. Along with candy and toys, inspectors also discovered 4.6 pounds of heroin.
They took about half of the drugs but allowed the rest to be mailed to the address, only after adding an electronic transmitter. After it was delivered Thursday, police served a search warrant on the house and discovered the mailed box, opened, on the floor and table inside. Police arrested Cardona as he tried to flee through the back of the house.
He later said he was the only person who lived at that address and that he had moved in about two months ago.
Police also found $10,000 in cash, several cell phones and marijuana, according to the affidavit.
