Drug suspect will go to ICE

A Canadian man recently arrested on suspicion of possessing hundreds of pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute will be taken into custody by immigration officials before he’s ever set free, authorities said.

Jean Francois Gosselin, 34, of Mascouche, Quebec, is being held in Orange County Jail in lieu of $5-million bail after police said they arrested him Jan. 20 in Newport Beach with 92 kilos of cocaine.

Even if he were to post bail, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement would take him into custody for possible deportation, said ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice.

Ninety-two kilos of cocaine is just over 200 pounds. Each kilo was individually wrapped, said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Evan Sailor.

Gosselin was arrested by Newport Beach detectives in his mobile home with Canadian license plates at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort.

Authorities said the cocaine was worth about $19 million on the street. Federal drug enforcement officials said individually wrapped kilos is typical of large cocaine deals, and the narcotics would likely go through a couple of more levels of distributors and dealers before reaching the street.

Gosselin’s attorney did not return calls seeking comment.

Gosselin is due back in court Feb. 25 for his arraignment on charges of possession of a controlled substance to distribute with a sentencing enhancement for having more than 80 kilos.