A Gentry man is accused of mailing himself marijuana from Oregon and having his 17-year-old daughter pick it up at the post office.
Joseph Morretti, 47, was arrested on charges of Possession Controlled Substance (Marijuana) with purpose to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia by Benton County Narcotics Investigators last week.
According to Capt. Mike Sydoriak, investigators received a tip from Gentry Police of a package coming through the US Postal Service from Oregon believed to contain pot.
On May 23, investigators intercepted the package at the Gentry Post Office. A sheriff’s K9 sniffed the package and gave a positive alert, indicating drugs were inside, Capt. Sydoriak said.
The US Postal Service obtained a search warrant for the package which revealed two large canning jars full of marijuana.
The next day, police say a 17-year-old girl arrived to pick it up. She told authorities her parents sent her. Police say Morretti later admitted to purchasing the marijuana in Oregon and mailing it to himself. He also told police he sent some of it via United Parcel Service (UPS).
In all, deputies seized about 5.5lbs of marijuana with a street value of $27,500, according to Capt. Sydoriak.
Morretti has been released on bond.
