Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jun 2006
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2006 Star Tribune
Contact: http://www.startribune.com/dynamic/feedback/form.php?opinion=1
Website: http://www.startribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266
Author: Chao Xiong, Star Tribune
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

RETIRED ST. PAUL COP SURRENDERS HIMSELF IN BIG DRUG BUST

The Former St. Paul Officer Turned Himself In After Minneapolis 
Police Seized About 22 Pounds Of Cocaine And 8 Pounds Of Methamphetamine

Retired St. Paul police officer Clemmie H. Tucker turned himself in 
to Minneapolis police Wednesday afternoon in a drug case involving $4 
million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine.

"There's nothing to compare it to," Capt. Rich Stanek said about the 
size of the seizure. "This is one of the largest, if not the 
largest," narcotics seizure for Minneapolis police.

Tucker's former colleagues said they were shocked to hear that the 
"big brother" figure who preached sobriety, staying away from gang 
activity and salvation from the streets through boxing was linked to 
30 pounds of drugs.

"This is a very different place than what I would expect Clemmie to 
be in," St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington said Wednesday night. 
"Things seem to have just gone in a bad direction for him."

Last Friday, police seized a package at the Minneapolis Greyhound bus 
depot, 950 Hawthorne Av., that contained 10 kilos, about 22 pounds, 
of cocaine and 8 pounds of methamphetamine. Stanek said it is more 
typical to seize anywhere from about half a gram to half a kilogram 
of cocaine. A kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.The drugs' estimated $4 
million street value is conservative, Stanek said.

Security at the bus station in downtown Minneapolis told authorities 
that a man attempted to pick up the package but lacked proper 
identification, police said. A suspect was identified using a license 
plate and description.

Police divulged few details of the case, citing the ongoing 
investigation, but said Tucker, 55, turned himself in at 12:30 p.m. 
Wednesday. Tucker, who was a Golden Gloves boxing champ as a teen, 
has not been charged.

St. Paul police spokesman Pete Crum confirmed that Tucker was a St. 
Paul officer for more than 20 years and retired in the late 1990s.

Former colleagues described Tucker as an outgoing, gregarious man who 
was enthusiastic about his work. They were careful to point out a 
suspect's presumed innocence until proven guilty.

"It hurts," said St. Paul Council Member Dan Bostrom, a retired St. 
Paul police sergeant. "It's distressing to all of us. Everybody tends 
to get painted with the same brush."

Bostrom said he never had an inkling that Tucker could ever get 
involved in something illegal.

Harrington said Tucker worked briefly as a K-9 cop and in property crimes.

"Clem was extremely well-known in the department and a likeable guy," 
said St. Paul Police Federation president Dave Titus.

Off the clock, Tucker was known as a boxing enthusiast and trainer 
who ran B.T. Bombers boxing club in St. Paul. Harrington said 
graffiti anti-drug and anti-gang messages decorate the exterior.

Tucker trained St. Paul and suburban cops in his gym and helped with 
the police academy, said Harrington, who said he knows nothing about 
the drug case.

Just as recently as a month ago Tucker was talking about volunteering 
to help troubled teens find direction through boxing with the Police 
Activities League, the chief said.

Tucker groomed his son as a boxer, but that didn't stop the younger 
Tucker from falling into trouble.

Clemmie H. Tucker Jr. pleaded guilty this February to unintentional 
second-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend last 
summer in Brooklyn Park.

Angelina B. Garley, 27, was shot to death through her car window.

Minneapolis police spokesman Ron Reier said the U.S. attorney's 
office is also involved in the narcotics investigation because of the 
seizure's large size.

Police said the drugs came from out of state but would not say 
whether it was intended for sale in the Twin Cities.

"Drugs fuel our violent crime, so we're happy to get them off the 
streets," Stanek said.

Howie Padilla contributed to this report.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman