COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Four people have been arrested in connection with a major marijuana trafficking operation that involved taken dozens of pounds of the drug to Chicago for sale and bringing the money back to Colorado Springs.
Officials arrested Daniel Haggerty, Matthew Tunzi, Anthony Munizzi and Mary Miller, all in Chicago. Miller was released pending further investigation, but the three men were charged with cannabis trafficking, unlawful delivery of cannabis and possession of cannabis. Those are class X felonies in Illinois, which is the state's highest charge.
The investigation began in March when officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted surveillance on suspects and locations in the Colorado Springs area, made a traffic stop and seized eight pounds of marijuana. Law enforcement personnel then arranged a controlled delivery to suspects in Chicago, who were then arrested when officials seized money, drugs and guns.
In trying to find where the marijuana came from, investigators found two homes used to grow and package the marijuana for distribution. One home had been cleared out and vacated, but investigators found 42 marijuana plants, a grow operation set up for about 500 plants and 3.5 additional pounds of marijuana.
On Nov. 2, Illinois State Police officers worked with Colorado Springs Police officers to set up an operation that involved transporting 50 pounds of marijuana to Chicago for a controlled delivery.
The suspect in the delivery had an address in Elbert County, Colo. While Illinois officers began making arrests in Chicago, Colorado Springs investigators searched the Elbert County property.
Officers said the property was about 100 acres and had a number of buildings and greenhouses used to grow and package the marijuana. In all, officials recovered 140.5 pounds of marijuana and 26 marijuana plants. They also found grow operations off the property concealed by large pine trees and rocks.
Officers said the investigation is ongoing, and they will not release any other information.
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