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Homeland Security/DEA investigation yields largest marijuana seizure ever in Chicago area
CHICAGO — Federal marijuana distribution conspiracy charges were filed today against
seven defendants who were arrested yesterday during what law enforcement officials said they
believe is the largest seizure ever of marijuana in the Chicago area — conservatively estimated at
approximately 21,800 pounds, or nearly 11 tons, packed into six railroad cars from Mexico that
arrived at a warehouse in south suburban Chicago Heights earlier this month. The marijuana is
estimated to have a value of approximately $22 million.
The arrests and seizure followed an intensive month-long investigation and were announced
today by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Gary J.
Hartwig, Special Agent-in-Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Chicago; Jack
Riley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Drug Enforcement
Administration; David Murphy, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) in Chicago; and John Beutlich. Director of Operations for CBP Air and Marine, Northern
Region. The Illinois State Police, the Will County Cooperative Police Assistance Team Task Force
(WCPAT), and the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department also participated in the investigation,
which was conducted under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force
(OCDETF).
The defendants are: Carlos Osvaldo Quintero, also known as “Carlos Gomez” and “Miguel
Dominguez,” 31; his father, Martin Quintero, 63; Felipe de Jesus Magana-Campos,aka “Padrino,”
47; Eduardo Angel Zalayaran-Ruiz, aka “Other Inge,” 54; Javier Vera, aka “Ducky,” 24;
Christian Gonzalez, aka “Chris,” 24; and Miguel Cordova, aka “Mike,” 20. All seven were
charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana in a criminal complaint filed today in
U.S. District Court. They appeared this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys and
remain in federal custody pending detention and preliminary hearings, which were scheduled for 2:30
p.m. next Tuesday.
“This historic drug seizure represents law enforcement partnership and cooperation at their
best," said Mr. Hartwig. “HSI and DEA agents, together with our state and local partners, removed
nearly 11 tons of marijuana intended for our communities. ICE will continue identifying and
dismantling criminal organizations that smuggle drugs across our borders and into our communities.”
Mr. Riley, of the DEA, said: “The estimated $22 million dollars worth of marijuana seized
in this joint investigation translates to a significant blow to the availability of marijuana in the region,
as well as
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