The U.S. Postal Service has had its ups and downs lately, staying on top of new technology and competing with the numerous other delivery companies that service the seemingly endless needs of online shoppers.
What it never expected was that one of its bona fide mail carriers would be delivering pot on a regular basis.
According to Silver Spring Patch, Takisha Cole’s mail route included delivering and picking up packages from one Michael Prandy. The packages were sent from California and elsewhere and mailed via USPS to Prandy’s residence in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Cole, a letter carrier since March 2011, was responsible for delivering packages sent through the U.S. Postal Service to the appropriate addresses on her route. However, in August 2013, Prandy’s address was removed from Cole’s postal route.
But through rain, snow, sleet and hail, the weed continued to be delivered for several years—even though Prandy’s address was no longer on Cole’s route.
Last week, a federal jury convicted Cole, of Washington, D.C., for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, use of a communications device to facilitate drug trafficking and bribery, according to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement.
Cole faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for possession with intent to distribute; four years for use of a communications device to facilitate drug trafficking; and 15 years for bribery. The jury did not reach a verdict on a conspiracy charge to distribute 100 kilos or more of marijuana.
Prandy, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy, is expected to be sentenced in August.
Cole’s cut in the operation—$50 to $100 per package—was left for her…in the mailbox, of course.
