New London Man Who Received Cocaine Mailed from Puerto Rico Pleads Guilty

 Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that RAUL ROBLES, 38, of New London, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a narcotics trafficking offense stemming from his role in a conspiracy in which cocaine was mailed through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico to southeastern Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force in Connecticut intercepted a suspicious package that was destined for a location in Puerto Rico.  A court-authorized search of the package revealed $158,900 in cash.  Investigators established a connection between Robles and the seized package, and learned that Robles’ New London residence had received approximately 25 parcels from Puerto Rico since September 2019.

Investigators continued to monitor USPS deliveries of parcels mailed from Puerto Rico to Robles’ residence, including multiple parcels addressed to names of individuals who did not reside there.  A court-authorized search of one parcel that had been mailed to a fictitious individual at Robles’ residence revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine. 

Robles was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 9, 2021.

Robles pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 14, 2021, at which time Robles faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Robles is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the New London and Town of Groton Police Departments.  The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.