A man prosecutors described as a “foreign national” with “multiple warrants” is facing drug trafficking charges after allegedly receiving a package containing more than a pound of cocaine at his Portage Park home.
Emberto Dircio, 46, is being detained as a safety threat and flight risk by Judge James Costello.
In a detention filing, Cook County prosecutors said U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted a package from Mexico containing about 551 grams of cocaine, just under 1¼ pounds. The agents obtained an anticipatory search warrant and rigged the parcel with a tracking device, a silent alarm, and “theft detection powder” before delivering it to Dircio’s home in the 5400 block of West Berteau.
The alarm triggered shortly after delivery, and agents executed the warrant as Dircio left the building. Prosecutors said his hands tested positive for the detection powder. They also accused him of presenting officers with a fake ID bearing a fictitious name.
Investigators later searched Dircio’s phone and found evidence of him receiving multiple packages from the same sender in Mexico, prosecutors said.
He is charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, and possession of cocaine. Prosecutors told Judge Costello they believe Dircio was actively engaged in trafficking large quantities of narcotics into the United States.
Earlier this month, a Gage Park woman was arrested under similar circumstances when she allegedly received a package from Mexico containing more than 2½ pounds of methamphetamine and more than two pounds of cannabis.
Theft detection powder is a fine, invisible substance used by law enforcement to link suspects to stolen or illicit items. It is usually applied to packages, money, or other objects during sting operations.
The powder cannot be easily seen, but when someone touches the treated surface, it sticks to their skin, clothing, or belongings. Under special lighting, the powder glows, providing investigators with evidence that the person came into contact with the object.
In drug investigations, theft detection powder is often paired with silent alarms and tracking devices, allowing agents to both follow a suspicious package and confirm who physically handled it upon delivery.
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