Mar 27, 2008
POLICE:
Feds indict Ridgefield man in big marijuana case
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A federal grand jury in New Haven on March 20 indicted a Ridgefield man and three others for allegedly smuggling more than 220 pounds of Canadian-grown marijuana into the area over the past two years.
According to the indictment, Brian Danzi of 60 Laurel Lane, along with his brother, Michael, of Norwalk, and two others face charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy to smuggle cash in bulk out of the United States.
The indictment also accuses the men of money laundering.
The United States attorney’s office in New Haven said a joint task force of Fairfield County, New Haven County and federal law enforcement agencies seized more than $1.4 million from the operation.
According to the indictment, Brian Danzi, who went by the street name of “Fats,” received large amounts of marijuana from George Tsellos, 38, of Norwalk. Mr. Tsellos, who used “Michael” as an alias, obtained the drugs from Canada. Brian Danzi and his brother Michael then sold the marijuana and turned over the proceeds to Soterio “Marco” Tsellos, who shipped the drugs from Canada.
The indictment also alleges the Danzi brothers, on at least two occasions, gave an indicted co-conspirator more than $250,000 in drug proceeds for laundering. In total, the indictment alleges the men laundered more than $500,000. The indictment did not specify how the alleged drug ring laundered its cash.
The indictment also names two other men who remain at large.
In addition to the drug and money laundering charges, the U.S. attorney’s office is seeking the forfeiture of Brian Danzi’s property and holdings in Ridgefield as well as those of his brother in Norwalk and of the Tsellos brothers.
Brian Danzi owns a “light-green, three-level, modern-style house” at 60 Laurel Lane he bought in March 2007 for $530,000, according to town hall records. The deed indicated he moved here from Greenwich.
The U.S. attorney also wants Brian Danzi to forfeit three Yamaha all-terrain vehicles, a black 2000 Mercedes-Benz, and a black 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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