Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Man arrested after US$3M worth of drugs shipped to restaurant
This photo provided by Maine's Auburn Police Department on Saturday, April 29, 2023, shows Jeremy Mercier, who was arrested after employees of a Maine restaurant opened a large wooden crate that they thought was a shipment of mugs, but turned out to contain 14 kilograms (31 pounds) of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Mercier showed up looking for the crate and was arrested, police said. (Auburn Police Department via AP)
Latest News
April 30, 2023

Man arrested after US$3M worth of drugs shipped to restaurant

AUBURN, Maine (AP) — Employees of a Maine restaurant got a surprise when they opened a large wooden crate that they thought was a shipment of mugs they had recently ordered.

Instead, they found a plastic tote that contained what law enforcement suspect is 14 kilograms (31 pounds) of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl with an estimated street value of $3 million, Auburn police Deputy Chief Timothy Cougle said in a statement Saturday.

The tote had a shipping label with the restaurant’s address but the name of someone who did not work there. Employees who opened it saw what they thought looked like drugs, so they contacted police, Cougle said.

The crate from Arizona that arrived in the Maine town about 30 miles (50 kilometres) north of Portland was taken to the police department, where a chemical field examination confirmed it contained fentanyl.

About an hour later, the man whose name was on the shipment showed up looking for the crate and was arrested, police said.

Jeremy Mercier, 41, of Auburn, was charged with drug offenses and for violating bail conditions. He is being held in a county jail without bail. It could not be determined if he had an attorney.

Mercier previously spent time behind bars on a 2007 federal drug conviction, Cougle said.

The investigation is ongoing, and Cougle said he anticipates state and federal law enforcement getting involved.

Mike Peters, the co-owner of Mac’s Grill, told WMTW-TV in an email that he is glad the drugs did not make it to the streets.

“The instances of overdose in our, and surrounding, communities is awful, and fentanyl seems to be front and centre when it comes to fatalities,” he said. “It is very sad.”

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

US wants citizens of two Caricom countries to post bonds when seeking visa
Latest News, Regional
US wants citizens of two Caricom countries to post bonds when seeking visa
January 7, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica are the only two Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries named by the United States...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: Man injured in altercation with security guard at Mandeville market bar
Latest News, News
WATCH: Man injured in altercation with security guard at Mandeville market bar
January 7, 2026
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Detectives up to early Wednesday morning were questioning a security guard as to the circumstances surrounding the use of his li...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump says Venezuela to hand over oil stocks worth billions
International News, Latest News
Trump says Venezuela to hand over oil stocks worth billions
January 7, 2026
CARACAS, Venezuela(AFP)—United States President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Venezuela will hand over tens of millions of barrels of oil to the Unit...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
48-hour curfew imposed in sections of Malcolm Heights, Hanover
Latest News, News
48-hour curfew imposed in sections of Malcolm Heights, Hanover
January 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in Malcolm Heights and its environs in Hanover. The curfew began at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, January ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Salada packs over 600 care packages for farmers affected by Hurricane Melissa
Latest News, News
Salada packs over 600 care packages for farmers affected by Hurricane Melissa
January 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — More than 600 care packages were recently prepared by over 40 Salada Foods staff members at the company's headquarters in Kingston...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
48-hour curfew imposed in sections of Hanover
Latest News, News
48-hour curfew imposed in sections of Hanover
January 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in sections of the Hanover Police Division. The curfew began at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, January 5, a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
December air traffic rebounds after Hurricane Melissa, still below 2024 levels
Business, Latest News
December air traffic rebounds after Hurricane Melissa, still below 2024 levels
January 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Air travel through Sangster International Airport increased in December, signalling a partial recovery from the disruption caused ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump considering military options to acquire Greenland
International News, Latest News
Trump considering military options to acquire Greenland
January 6, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States -- United States President Donald Trump is exploring how to take control of Greenland and using the US military is "always a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct