Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 8, 2006 13:56:19 GMT -5
06/08/2006 - A retired St. Paul police officer well known in local boxing circles turned himself in to Minneapolis police Wednesday in connection with a $4 million drug bust.
Police summoned to the Minneapolis bus depot Friday about a suspicious package found 22 pounds of cocaine and 8 pounds of methamphetamine inside and linked it to Clemmie Howard Tucker, 55, of St. Paul, police said.
"This is a huge narcotics seizure, one of the largest in Minneapolis narcotics history," said Capt. Rich Stanek. "That's a lot of drugs to take off the streets."
Tucker was a St. Paul police officer for more than 20 years. He boxed in the Golden Gloves and ran the now-defunct B.T. Bombers gym in St. Paul. His son, a former professional boxer, pleaded guilty earlier this year to murdering his girlfriend in June 2005.
The package apparently arrived at the 950 Hawthorne Ave. depot by bus, police said. Security staff told officers a man had attempted to pick up the package but he did not have proper identification.
With a description of the man and the license plate number of the vehicle he left in, police identified Tucker as their suspect, police said.
Narcotics officers had not talked with Tucker before he showed up at the Hennepin County jail about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Stanek said.
"I think he knew we were looking for him," Stanek said. "We had knocked on a few doors in St. Paul looking for him."
Tucker was booked at the Hennepin County jail, and the case will be presented to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution, police said. His family could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Tucker grew up in Omaha, Neb., and was on his own at age 16. He got his own apartment and put himself through high school.
"I pumped gas, washed cars and did whatever it took to get by," he said in 1995.
As a police officer, Tucker used his boxing skills in self-defense classes for officers.
Tucker trained his son in boxing. Clemmie Tucker Jr., now 34, is in prison for murder. Tucker Jr. admitted killing his girlfriend, Angelina B. Garley, 27. Brooklyn Park police found her in a car, shot in the chest, in June 2005.
Police summoned to the Minneapolis bus depot Friday about a suspicious package found 22 pounds of cocaine and 8 pounds of methamphetamine inside and linked it to Clemmie Howard Tucker, 55, of St. Paul, police said.
"This is a huge narcotics seizure, one of the largest in Minneapolis narcotics history," said Capt. Rich Stanek. "That's a lot of drugs to take off the streets."
Tucker was a St. Paul police officer for more than 20 years. He boxed in the Golden Gloves and ran the now-defunct B.T. Bombers gym in St. Paul. His son, a former professional boxer, pleaded guilty earlier this year to murdering his girlfriend in June 2005.
The package apparently arrived at the 950 Hawthorne Ave. depot by bus, police said. Security staff told officers a man had attempted to pick up the package but he did not have proper identification.
With a description of the man and the license plate number of the vehicle he left in, police identified Tucker as their suspect, police said.
Narcotics officers had not talked with Tucker before he showed up at the Hennepin County jail about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Stanek said.
"I think he knew we were looking for him," Stanek said. "We had knocked on a few doors in St. Paul looking for him."
Tucker was booked at the Hennepin County jail, and the case will be presented to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution, police said. His family could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Tucker grew up in Omaha, Neb., and was on his own at age 16. He got his own apartment and put himself through high school.
"I pumped gas, washed cars and did whatever it took to get by," he said in 1995.
As a police officer, Tucker used his boxing skills in self-defense classes for officers.
Tucker trained his son in boxing. Clemmie Tucker Jr., now 34, is in prison for murder. Tucker Jr. admitted killing his girlfriend, Angelina B. Garley, 27. Brooklyn Park police found her in a car, shot in the chest, in June 2005.