US authorities have indicted 13 individuals of Tennessee and one of California for conspiracy to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Two of the defendants were also charged with possession of a firearm used to commit drug trafficking.
Twelve of the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Six of them have been detained pending trial, while the other six were released pending trial. The remaining two defendants have not yet appeared in court.
All defendants will be tried in court in October 2022. A conviction would mean a minimum jail term of 10 years, a maximum fine of $10 million, five years of supervised release, and forfeiture for each defendant.
Source: US Department of Justice
