Three individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico on charges of bribery and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana through the U.S. Postal Service. The indictment, announced by W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, follows an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to prosecutors, from January 2022 until April 2024, Héctor Melvin Candelaria-Carrero—also known as “Candy” or “Cartero”—worked as a USPS City Carrier in Isabela, Puerto Rico. While performing his official duties, he allegedly diverted, delayed, and stole USPS parcels containing controlled substances and provided them to Carlos Nadín Nieves-Pastrana (“Nandy”) and José Manuel Muñoz-Torres (“Kuki” or “Cuqui”) in exchange for bribe payments.
The indictment details that Candelaria-Carrero used his personal phone to take photos of specific parcels and then scanned those images at the correct delivery address using his assigned USPS scanner device. Instead of delivering the parcels as addressed, he allegedly redirected them to other locations while concealing their whereabouts from USPS records. Communication regarding these activities reportedly took place via private cellular numbers, WhatsApp messages, and phone calls between Candelaria-Carrero and his co-defendants.
United States Attorney Muldrow stated: “Drug trafficking destroys families and communities. These defendants were using the United States Postal Service to facilitate their drug trafficking activities which foster violence and addiction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners will aggressively prosecute drug traffickers and corrupt government officials and seek justice for our communities.”
Special Agent in Charge Modafferi of the U.S. Postal Service OIG added: “The Special Agents of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General will continue to maintain the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service and its personnel. The conduct alleged is disgraceful, and our office will continue to tirelessly investigate Postal Service employees and their co-conspirators who violate the public’s trust. This case serves as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPS OIG, our law enforcement partners, and the District of Puerto Rico U.S Attorney’s Office to pursue the prosecution of all those involved in criminal activity relating to the Postal Service.”
Joe Rodríguez, Acting Special Agent in Charge at FBI’s San Juan Field Office said: “Individuals who conspire to distribute controlled substances, attempt to compromise public officials, and violate the integrity of the U.S. mail will be held accountable. Our office, alongside our law-enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those who endanger public trust and public safety.”
If convicted on drug charges alone, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tania Y. Salas De-Jesús is leading prosecution efforts in this case.
It is noted that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
