Authorities Find Meth From Mexico Hidden In Picture Frames

A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent shows some of the 187 plus pounds of methamphetamine that was seized along with some 41 kilos of cocaine at a house in Gwinnett County on Aug. 16 during a DEA news conference in Atlanta, Monday, Aug. 21, 2006. Four defendants were also arrested and agents recovered a money counter, digital scales, and a large sum of suspected drug proceeds. (AP Photo/Ric Feld) ((AP Photo/Ric Feld))

Customs officers in Pittsburgh discovered a kilogram of methamphetamine hidden in two large picture frames of religious artwork. The frames were delivered to a Pittsburgh store from Mexico.

Federal court documents unsealed Friday say that customs officials intercepted the package at a shipping facility in Memphis last week and discovered the frames were hollow and contained long black packages filled with white powder.

A Pennsylvania state police trooper working undercover as a parcel delivery man allowed the Pittsburgh store owner to sign for the package. Court documents say another man picked it up about four hours later.

That man was arrested. Carmel Rojas-Pérez is being held without bail on a drug smuggling charge. His federal public defender declined comment.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.