Spilled Coffee Helped Cops Bust Hobson With Cocaine

Thu., May 23, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Spilled coffee, coupled with a secretary’s eagerness to mop up the mess, put into motion the events that earlier this month led to former Boston Red Sox manager Butch Hobson’s arrest on cocaine charges in Pawtucket, R.I.

According to the affidavit of a special agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency supporting a search warrant made public Wednesday, a secretary for Executive Systems Inc. in Birmingham, Ala. spilled coffee on a Federal Express envelope addressed to Hobson.

Concerned that the contents might be damaged, the secretary opened the envelope and discovered a cache of white powder, raising her suspicion that it was cocaine and triggering her call to federal drug authorities.

Soon after his arrest, the 44-year-old Hobson went on paid leave as manager of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Red Barons of the International League, the Philadelphia Phillies’ top affiliate. Hobson could not be reached at his home in Fairhope, Ala.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Spilled Coffee Helped Cops Bust Hobson With Cocaine

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Report: Former Gonzaga guard Malachi Smith waived by Brooklyn Nets

Spain capitalizes on late Belgium mistake, advances to World Cup semifinals

VAR changes are the worst thing about the best World Cup | Commentary