Manuel Arredondo-Ramirez found 30 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in his car

Manuel Arredondo-Ramirez, 27, of Whittier,sentenced to 51 months in prison. Arredondo-Ramirez worked as a welder in Southern California.Manuel Arredondo-Ramirez arrested in March along Interstate 70 after they found 30 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in his car. Arredondo-Ramirez agreed to cooperate and told federal drug agents that the shipment was intended for Troy David Brown, 39, of Delmont.Arredondo-Ramirez told agents he had made other trips to Western Pennsylvania to deliver cocaine to Brown, who owned Cut and Trim Lawn Care in Verona, which federal authorities said he used to run a cocaine ring since 2005. Arredondo-Ramirez said the deals were arranged through Brown's partner and his cousin, both in Phoenix, and his uncle in Nogales, Mexico.On April 2, Arredondo-Ramirez wore a wire during a sting. Agents arrested Brown when he arrived at a Monroeville parking lot to meet Arredondo-Ramirez.A search of Brown's business found $1,049,696 in cash stuffed inside a suitcase and two duffel bags. In August, Diamond sentenced Brown to 11 years and three months in prison.