News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2009
Contact: Thomas E. Murphy
Number: (314)538-4660

Federal Indictment Alleges Marijuana Traffickers Made $22 Million

DEC 01 -- KANSAS CITY, KAN. – In an indictment unsealed today, federal prosecutors allege a drug trafficking organization operating in Kansas City, Kan., did more than $22 million worth of business distributing marijuana.

Twenty defendants are charged in the indictment, which alleges the traffickers shipped more than 23,000 pounds of marijuana from Phoenix, Ariz., to metro Kansas City at the direction of the leaders of the conspiracy, Gladstone McDowell, 50, Kansas City, Mo., and Michael Francois, 39, Kansas City, Mo.

In a separate count, the indictment asks the court for a $22 million money judgment against the defendants and seeks the forfeiture of buildings in the 3900 block of Chestnut, the 3400 block of Park, the 3200 block of Brooklyn, the 1800 block of E. 67th Terrace, the 5900 block of Lawn, the 8400 block of Oldham, and the 4300 block of Woodland in Kansas City, Mo.

“This indictment is the result of an 18-month investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department,â€