Waterford Furniture Store Center Of Drug Investigation

[bobandtorey]

WXYZ) - When you looked at the outside of Oakland Furniture in Waterford on M-59, it appeared to be a legitimate business. 

It had a nice sign, a phone number, a storefront, but Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Agents say the store may have never sold a single piece of furniture.

The reason?  It may not have really been a furniture store.

Now that three men have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial for what was happening at that store, investigators are releasing never before seen video and picture evidence.

“It appears this was nothing more than a front,” said William Hayes, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for ICE HSI.  “The business was set up in July 2012 and never did any legit business.”

It did, however, place an order in November 2012.

A truck from Mexico was trying to enter the country at an international crossing in Laredo, Texas.  According to documents, it was bringing in about 114 pieces of furniture for Oakland Furniture, but the furniture didn’t look right.

Border Patrol Agents looked closer and found marijuana was hidden inside that furniture.

“It was determined it was just shy of 3000 pounds with a street value of  $2.1 million,” said Hayes

 Instead of seizing it and closing their investigation, undercover investigators with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations made the delivery to the business in Waterford listed in paperwork. 

They then watched as three men started tearing the furniture apart and removing the marijuana.

“Obviously you wouldn’t rip it apart unless you knew it contained something-- in this case the contraband marijuana,” said Hayes.

Two of the men Jorge Cruz-Diaz, 34, and Jesus Sanchez-Ramirez, 32, both nationals of Mexico pleaded guilty.  They will each serve several years in prison and then face deportation.  Jesus Hernandez, 34, was the last of three defendants involved in this case. He was convicted at trial and is scheduled for sentencing July 17. He faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison and fines.

 

http://www.wxyz.com/news/waterford-furniture-store-center-of-drug-investigation

[trichcycler]

so we're going to first house them for years, pay for their health care, room and board, and then when we've taxed our citizens to the extent of the law for the stay, we'll deport them. You'd think someone is actually profiting from that policy scheme, otherwise it makes no sense.

                                                                                                    (police)                                                  (cents)

[Restorium2]

At least an American didn't get involved. Hopefully they get to pick up some roadside trash in the two years(or less) they will be here before they go back to Mexico. You have to do something to them to get them to not want to do that again. That weed looked terrible! Brings back bad memories.

[bobandtorey]

At least an American didn't get involved. Hopefully they get to pick up some roadside trash in the two years(or less) they will be here before they go back to Mexico. You have to do something to them to get them to not want to do that again. That weed looked terrible! Brings back bad memories.