"Kidney bean cans allegedly used to hide $1m in cocaine" by Jasper Craven | Globe Correspondent, September 25, 2013
Two New York men were ordered held on $250,000 bail each after State Police discovered $1 million worth of cocaine hidden in cans of kidney beans after pulling the men over on a speeding violation in Lynn, authorities said.
The cocaine, roughly 7.2 kilograms, was allegedly being transported by Elvis Rodriguez, 55, and Swinton Acosta, 35, when police stopped them on Monday.
Rodriguez was charged with trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Acosta was charged with trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, speeding, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, said Carrie Kimball-Monahan, spokeswoman for the Essex district attorney.
The two were arraigned in Lynn District Court Tuesday, and not-guilty pleas were entered on behalf of both defendants, Monahan said.
Troopers stopped the car on Western Avenue in Lynn after Acosta was clocked going 44 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone, State Police said.
Police learned that Acosta was driving with a suspended license after they pulled him over and asked him if Rodriguez could drive. Acosta allegedly responded he did not know his passenger’s name, State Police said.
Rodriguez told the trooper he could not drive and seemed evasive when asked simple questions, State Police said.
A vehicle inventory was taken before it was towed, and troopers discovered a hidden compartment. After a K-9 unit indicated the presence of illegal drugs in the compartment, troopers found 18 cans of kidney beans containing cocaine.
--more--"
