[420 Girl]

Six men have been charged in connection with a multimillion dollar marijuana-trafficking ring in Kane County, officials said Monday.

The arrests culminated a five-month investigation that also led to the seizure of $480,000 in cash, eight vehicles and 2,300 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $5 million, authorities said.

"This may be the largest single seizure of cannabis that the Kane County state's attorney's office has ever been involved with," State's Attorney John Barsanti said.

Authorities said the suspects were involved in scheme to distribute marijuana across the Chicago area, with "significant activity" in Kane County. The seizure of drugs, cash and vehicles took place Nov. 23.

Charged each with one count of cannabis trafficking, a Class X felony, were Joseph Lichay, 48, of Huntley; William Santana, 41, of Elgin; Edwardo Alanis-Garcia, 43, of Melrose Park; and Chicago residents Jose Arriaga, 36; Fabricio Mendiola, 36; and Santos Nunez, 48, police said.

Bond was set $5 million for Alanis-Garcia, Mendiola, Nunez and Santana, and $10 million for Arriaga and Lichay. All six were being held in the county jail Monday.

"This case is another example that large-scale drug-trafficking operations are occurring in the suburbs and across municipal boundaries," said Master Sgt. Bill Backus of the North Central Narcotics Task Force. "This is not just a big-city problem."

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing. The cases will be prosecuted jointly by the state's attorney's office and the Illinois attorney general's office.


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