Three charged with selling cocaine from Puerto Rico

Three Independence residents have been charged with receiving cocaine hidden in speakers and other items mailed from Puerto Rico and selling the drug in Arcadia.

Charged with felony possession with intent to deliver cocaine were Cristian Andre Vasquez Velez, 22, and Mark Ian Castro, 29, both of 23765 Adams St., and Karlett Zagal Salazar of 35883 Gilmanton Rd, #205. All three are being held in the Trempealeau County jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail each.

Court documents say that Eduardo Hernandez, an investigator with the sheriff’s department, was first informed of the alleged cocaine distribution in December. The informant told Hernandez that cocaine was being placed in speakers and other household goods, mailed to an address in Independence and sold in Arcadia bars. 

On July 6, Hernandez said he received information that such a package was slated to be delivered to the Independence location. Using warrants, Hernandez noted that the package contained a partially disassembled speaker but no drugs, according to court records. 

During phone calls July 9 between Castro and Salazar that were heard by investigators, Castro was heard asking the Puerto Rican contact why 16 ounces of cocaine was not in the package, according to the criminal complaint. On July 13, Hernandez received notice that another package was delivered to the Independence address. After serving a search warrant, that package was alleged to have contained 506 grams of suspected cocaine.

In a statement to officers, Velez allegedly said he was slated to receive between $500 and $1,000 for coordinating delivery of the package. Salazar reportedly admitted that she sent money and handguns to the Puerto Rican contact for the drugs, the criminal complaint says.

At one point, Salazar also reportedly called Castro in jail and told him she and her mother were ready to leave the country upon Castro’s release.