investigation into Justin Richardson, detectives seized more than $1.4 million in cash in three traffic stops

investigation into Justin Richardson, detectives seized more than $1.4 million in cash in three traffic stops, according to a federal complaint affidavit.Authorities say they began investigating Richardson in 2004 when he was identified as a major cocaine distributor in St. Petersburg. Detectives identified Richardson's primary supply source as two Jamaican nationals and also identified several cocaine distributors working for him.In September 2004, investigators learned Richardson had been arrested in Brownsville, Texas, while trying to ship several kilos of cocaine and 5 pounds of marijuana to St. Petersburg via DHL.Richardson was prosecuted in Texas and sentenced to five years in prison; he was released in August 2008.
By December 2008, the affidavit states, Richardson again was involved in cocaine trafficking. An informant said Mexicans in Sarasota were supplying Richardson with cocaine, and detectives arrested a Tampa man who said Richardson had sold him 7 to 10 kilos of cocaine over several months.A month later, authorities found $1 million in cash wrapped in duct tape inside a Cadillac registered to Richardson's mother.

Two inmates later told authorities they sold cocaine to Richardson or transported the drug for him.

In September, the affidavit states, Richardson met with three of his suspected cocaine distributors at a possible stash house in St. Petersburg. He left carrying a black duffel bag and drove to another house in St. Petersburg, where he gave the bag to someone in a Toyota.

Detectives later stopped the Toyota and found $277,585 in cash held together with rubber bands inside the duffel bag.On Friday, Richardson went to a Pinellas Park storage facility and then drove to his St. Petersburg apartment followed by a Nissan with Texas plates.
Detectives stopped the Nissan after it left the apartment complex and found inside 15 shrink-wrapped bundles of cash, estimated at more than $200,000, the affidavit states. The driver, Jose Garcia, told detectives he was paid $1,000 to drive the cash to Mexico.Investigators determined the car had made 105 border crossings since May. Garcia had crossed the border 71 times since 2008, the affidavit states.
Richardson is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute. A bail hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tampa.

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