4 plead guilty in Kane drug bust

Four men have pleaded guilty to felony drug possession charges that resulted from one of the largest drug busts in Kane County history.

A five-month investigation led to the seizure of 2,500 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $5 million in November 2009.

Authorities found 700 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle during a traffic stop, and later discovered another 1,800 pounds at a warehouse. They also seized eight vehicles and $479,000 in cash.

Four of the men involved in the drug trafficking ring pleaded guilty Friday to charges of possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, according to Maura Possley, spokeswoman for the Illinois attorney general’s office, which jointly prosecuted the case with the state’s attorney’s office. They are:

Ÿ Edwardo Alanis-Garcia of Melrose Park, who faces seven years in prison in exchange for the guilty plea

Ÿ Jose “Freddy” Arriaga of Chicago, sentenced to six years in prison

Ÿ Fabricio Mendiola of Chicago, sentenced to five years in prison

Ÿ Santos Nunez of Chicago, sentenced to five years

Authorities said at the time of the arrests that the suspects were involved in a scheme to distribute marijuana across the Chicago area, with “significant activity” in Kane County.