Drug trafficking charges were brought against a Chelsea resident following the discovery of approximately $10,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine. The substance was found by local, state, and federal investigators inside a Valentine’s-themed package delivered to Lawrence Ligocki, 62.
Ligocki faced arraignment Thursday in Chelsea District Court. He was charged with trafficking in a Class B substance and possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute, based on nearly 100 grams recovered from a teddy bear contained in the package he received, plus a smaller quantity discovered at his Willard Street residence.
The Assistant District Attorney, Andrew Miller, sought $100,000 cash bail, emphasizing the drug’s potency, addictive properties, and substantial monetary value. Judge Benjamin Barnes, however, set bail at $150.
On February 5, Postal Inspectors alerted State Police to a suspicious Express Mail package addressed to “Larry Lajoicki” at Ligocki’s address. State Police responded to the General Mail Facility in Boston with a drug-sniffing dog, which alerted on the package. Investigators then obtained a warrant to search the package on delivery.
Troopers of the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit, Chelsea Police, US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents, and US Postal Service inspectors executed a controlled delivery of the package on Feb. 6. A postal inspector posing as a mail carrier knocked on Ligocki’s front door and, when Ligocki answered, said he had an Express Mail package that was a day late. Ligocki allegedly answered, “fblikebutton_button”
After Ligocki signed for the package, the inspector revealed his identity and disclosed that a drug-sniffing dog had alerted on it. Ligocki then allegedly stated that he wasn’t expecting a package.
The search warrant was presented to Ligocki, and the package was opened by investigators. The contents included several heart-shaped Whitman’s Sampler chocolate boxes and a stuffed teddy bear. Inside the bear were three bags of a substance that field-tested positive as crystal methamphetamine.
A search warrant was subsequently executed on his home following Ligocki’s arrest. An additional bag believed to contain methamphetamine was recovered from a glass jar.
Attorney Chester Fernandez represented Ligocki at his arraignment. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 4.