A Price man was arrested in Orem after allegedly picking up a package that contained 543 grams of MDMA, better known as ecstasy. The package that was sent from Germany contained ecstasy worth up to $100,000.
The package was discovered by officials at the Customs and Border Patrol agency where a black and white teddy bear was found inside. Officials then allegedly discovered that the bear was not stuffed with cotton like a normal teddy bear, but with ecstasy.
After the discovery, Customs and Border Patrol officials resealed the package, contacted Utah County Major Crimes Task Force and sent the package on it’ way to the Orem P.O. box it was addressed to.
Allegedly, 29-year-old Manteo Gilardo Soto arrived at the post office after the package was delivered. Detectives then followed the Price man to an apartment complex located in Utah County. A male passenger with Soto exited the vehicle with the package, ran from authorities and eventually dropped the package as he jumped over a fence.
Soto eventually drove to a different part of the parking lot where he parked his car and officials took him into custody without incident.
The Price man told authorities that he had no knowledge of what the package contained. He continued to tell officials that he was asked by a friend to pick up the package and deliver it to him.
Soto was booked into the Utah County Jail on Friday where he is being held on charges of use or possession of drug paraphernalia and distribute/offer/arrange distribution.
The male that ran from authorities as well as the man Soto allegedly retrieved the package for has not been identified due to Soto refusing to do so.