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Queens DA: Suspects Drove From Texas To Queens With Cocaine In Spare Tire

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Two men and an alleged accomplice have been arrested after allegedly driving from Texas to New York with 12 kilos of cocaine in the spare tire, authorities said Thursday.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown Jose Luis Ortiz-Garcia, 44; Felipe Estacio-Ortiz, 63 and Augustina Masea Baez, 51, were arraigned Tuesday on charges of drug possession and conspiracy.

Brown said the three conspired to bring drugs from Texas to Queens and sell them.

A search warrant Monday turned up six packages inside the spare tire of the men's sport-utility vehicle, Brown said. He said the packages contained 26 pounds, or 12 kilos, of cocaine with a street value of almost $3 million.

Attorneys for the two men did not immediately return calls seeking comment. No one answered at a number for Baez's attorney.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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