7 kilos of cocaine found hidden in vacuum shipment; 2 arrested

ORLANDO, Fla. — Two people are behind bars on more than $1.25 million bond each as part of a large drug trafficking case.

Channel 9's Jeff Deal learned it all started when deputies found a large amount of cocaine hidden inside a vacuum cleaner that had been shipped to a home in the Regal Park community.

Authorities said a drug dog hit on the box and investigators opened it up, finding 7 kilos of cocaine hidden inside.

Nelmary Garcia was arrested after authorities said she signed for the package. When deputies confronted her about the drugs, they said she admitted taking delivery of cocaine for Gilberto Gonzalez, who was also arrested.

Deputies said they then searched the house and found around 400 grams of heroin, as well as a few loaded handguns.

Garcia allegedly told investigators Gonzales cuts and packages the drugs at the home and that she had been receiving and storing drugs at the home for four to five months.

Gonzalez was arrested as he was driving into the neighborhood. Authorities said he admitted to deputies he was in the neighborhood to pick up cocaine.

Neighbors told Channel 9 they've seen an increase in activity at the home recently, and they're glad authorities stepped in.

"I saw the woman getting arrested. You know, she was crying. I didn't know what to make of it," said neighbor Rosemarie Carrafa. "I'm sick and tired of seeing people getting away with that stuff."

To bond out of jail, the suspects must prove the money they're using wasn’t from illegal activity.

WFTV