The Aurora Police Department along with the DEA were notified yesterday morning of a suspicious package that was addressed for delivery to a fictitious address. Further investigation by officers from both agencies resulted, and it was determined that this suspicious package allegedly contained cannabis. The defendants appeared later in the day to take possession of this package and were then arrested by agents from Aurora and DEA. It is alleged that the package contained over 167 pounds of cannabis.

The Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver charges against both defendants are Class X felonies, with a potential mandatory sentence of 6-30 years in the Department of Corrections. The amount of cannabis alleged to have been in the possession of these defendants has a street value of about $759,000.

State’s Attorney Birkett commended the Aurora Police and the DEA for their prompt response and thorough investigation of the report of the suspicious delivery package in this case. "This proactive investigation clearly stopped a significant amount of cannabis from being delivered to the streets of our community. All law enforcement agencies work to prevent the dealers from selling their illegal wares. If we successfully prosecute the dealers of illegal drugs we can go a long way in keeping our community safe."

Members of the public are reminded that the complaint only charges and is not proof of a defendant’s guilt. These defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove they are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.