On August 15, 2012, detectives assigned to Partner's Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT) were notified regarding two suspicious packages being held at the mail desk of a business in the Chino Valley area. The alert clerk was concerned about the packages based on the suspicious actions of two men who had dropped them off. The men filled out paperwork requesting the boxes be sent to Milwaukee, WI, and demanded a certain shipper even though the cost was much higher. It also appeared to the clerk that the men were attempting to distract her from asking specific questions about the contents of the packages as they continued conversing in random unrelated topics. The men paid over $200 in cash to ship the boxes and claimed they contained "sweaters and shoes."

Due to her suspicions, the clerk elected to enforce the company's publically posted policy reserving the right to check the contents of specified packages before shipment. An initial examination of one of the boxes revealed a large amount of white powder in a sealed plastic bag. At this time she called the Chino Valley Police Department.

A drug/narcotic certified K9 from the Chino Valley Police Department was brought to the business and during a blind search, immediately alerted on the package in question. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives examined the contents of each box and found 4 vacuum sealed bags of marijuana with a total weigh exceeding 4 pounds in one box, and 1 bag of cocaine with a weight exceeding 5 ounces in the other. PANT detectives were notified.

During the investigation, the clerk received a call from one of the men indicating he had placed the wrong zip code on the boxes. The clerk told him he would be required to return to the business to sign a shipping correction notice. He agreed.

Once the men arrived, they were contacted by PANT detectives. They were identified as 50-year-old Todd Brazeau and his 41-year old nephew, Brandon Brazeau, both from Milwaukee. The suspects had been staying at a motel in Prescott Valley. Detectives also served a search warrant at that location and confirmed both men were involved in the purchase and shipment of the contraband. Detectives found the same leftover packing material used the secure the contraband in the shipping boxes. Essentially, the suspects came to the Prescott area to visit friends and after finding out how "cheap" certain drugs were, they decided to make a purchase to ship home for later sales.

Both suspects were booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Possession of Narcotic/Drug for Sale and Possession of Marijuana for Sale. Each remains in-custody on a $50,000 bond. PANT would like to thank Chino Police Department officers for their initial investigation which provided critical details and secure evidence.