Chicago police make largest pot seizure in 20 years
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CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
Authorities believe Tuesday's seizure Tuesday of 8 tons of marijuana by Chicago Police and federal agents represents the largest seizure of cannabis in Chicago in at least 20 years.
The seizure of about 16,000 pounds of cannabis was part of a long-term investigation, a release from police said. No one was arrested, but the investigation remains active.
Officers assigned to the CPD/DEA "Strike Force" received information that a large shipment of cannabis was en route to the city. It is believed the shipment originated in Mexico and passed through Texas.It was seized near a warehouse in the Chicago metropolitan area about 5 p.m. Tuesday.
"This seizure is representative of the impact Mexican organized crime is having on the distribution of illegal drugs sold here in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs," Jack Riley, special agent in charge of the local DEA office, said.
Intelligence indicates the shipment was destined for the warehouse, where the cannabis would have been divided and allocated for distribution via local drug suppliers and street gangs. It had an estimated street value of more than $40 million.
"A seizure of this magnitude is an important tool in stopping the violence in our communities. It disrupts the operations of those trafficking in narcotics and the impact is felt from the level of street gangs all the way up to the cartel level," Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said a statement.
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