Prosecutors: Drug ring with ties to KU basketball team made $16.9 million

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Federal Prosecutors have released more information about a major drug bust in Douglas and Johnson Counties that has ties to the KU Men’s basketball team.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Warner said the drug ring made $16.9 million worth of sales of high-grade marijuana and cocaine in those counties.

Ten more defendants have been charged since the original complaint was filed in June, bringing the total number of people charged to 35.

The group as a whole is now facing 101 charges.

Prosecutors allege the defendants laundered money through businesses across Kansas and Missouri. They also accuse them of distributing drugs near schools -- including Lawrence High School, West Middle School, Haskell Indian Nations University, Holcomb Sports Complex, Olathe North High School and New York Elementary.

A four-year investigation led to the drug bust in Olathe, Kan., last month, where officials found more than 2,200 pounds of marijuana.

In a June 18 hearing, prosecutors told a judge defendant Samuel Villeareal III sold marijuana to members of the team from the 2010-2011 season.

You can read the federal complaint here: http://bit.ly/OIVxgV