Seven arrested after narcotics agents intercept semi-trailer loaded with 3,000 pounds of cannabis

Online Staff Report

The State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT), in conjunction with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Rockford and Belvidere police departments and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department arrested the following seven area men on drug charges:

• Jesus Garcia Jr., 23, 1700 block of New Milford School Road, Rockford;

• Martin Paz, 45, 500 block of Salter, Rockford;

• Jordan Garcia, 21, 1900 block of New Milford School Road, Rockford;

• Jose Villa-Nunez, 52, 900 block Cunningham Ave., Rockford;

• Jose A. Garcia, 18, 1400 block of Seminary, Rockford;

• Alex Garcia, 41, 1400 block of Seminary, Rockford; and

• Edgar Garcia, 24, 1400 block of Seminary, Rockford.

The arrest of these individuals comes after narcotics agents intercepted a truck tractor semi-trailer loaded with approximately 3,000 pounds of cannabis that was being delivered from Mexico to the Rockford area.

The street value of the cannabis is $9.5 million.

The seven individuals were charged with unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, a class X felony.

Class X felonies are punishable by six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Rockford Police Chief Chet Epperson said, “This investigation and these arrests exemplify how cooperative policing, intelligence gathering and exchange of information are key components of effective police cooperation”.

The above mentioned subjects were incarcerated at the Winnebago County Jail.