Several local law enforcement agencies will share more than $12.5 million seized when hundreds of pounds of marijuana were found during a routine traffic stop in Illinois.
Illinois State Police said their five-year investigation started when a trooper stopped a vehicle on Interstate 88 in June 2009. Investigators determined the 334 pounds of marijuana hidden inside the stopped vehicle was part of a coast-to-coast drug trafficking operation.
"The drugs were intended to be transported from California to upstate New York for distribution," said a statement from Illinois State Police. The Albany (New York) Drug Enforcement Office went undercover to complete the delivery, and that led to the arrest of five people.
Eric Canori, Robert Reinfurt, Melissa Giove, Pamela Grosch and Sara Shafer were all prosecuted in connection with the investigation.
Police said they seized more than $1.47 million in cash, plus 40 pounds of marijuana, from Canori's home. They found another $688,000 in a home Canori rented in California.
Investigators seized two pickup trucks and a trailer. They also seized - and later auctioned - 172 gold bars, 161 gold coins and a 100-ounce silver bar that were buried in connection with the conspiracy.
After 20 percent went to the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program and more than $1 million covered expenses to seize the cash and property, nearly $9 million remained to be split among law enforcement agencies, in three states, that were part of the investigation.
More than $1.4 million went to agencies in Illinois. Geneseo, Illinois Police received $212,036.82; Henry County Illinois State's Attorney's Office received $241,506.19; Quad City Metro Enforcement Group (QCMEG) received $241,506.19 and Illinois State Police received $752,540.96.
