By: Richard L. Smith
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Mahogany Hawkins, 32, of Newark, has been convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.
The conviction pertains to Hawkins' involvement in receiving and intending to distribute narcotics through FedEx parcels.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said the case materialized in March 2021 when law enforcement lawfully intercepted two FedEx parcels addressed to “John Brown” in Newark, which were found to contain cocaine.
On March 15, 2021, an undercover officer delivered these packages to the designated address, where Hawkins answered the door and accepted the parcels.
When officers later approached the residence, identifying themselves as law enforcement, Hawkins did not open the door, claiming she was "getting dressed."
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said officers were compelled to force entry and found Hawkins in the bedroom.
A subsequent search warrant led to the discovery of a backroom in Hawkins’s apartment, locked by a keypad, set up as a workstation for packaging narcotics.
Inside, authorities found the two FedEx packages from the controlled delivery disposed of in a garbage can, alongside methamphetamine pills, additional cocaine, numerous empty vials for packaging narcotics, a heat sealer, a loaded handgun, and an extended magazine.
Laboratory analysis confirmed the substances were indeed cocaine and methamphetamine.
Hawkins now faces a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the count of possession with intent to distribute.
The case highlights the extensive measures taken by law enforcement to intercept and halt the distribution of illegal narcotics.