Police Turn Up $3M In Pot On Duo With Ties To Mexican Cartel: Authorities

ROUND LAKE BEACH, IL — Authorities turned up over 600 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $3 million during a drug investigation into a man who was initially pulled over in Round Lake Park last week. Jose Avila-Zumadio, of Guadalajara, Mexico, was stopped by police at 4:15 p.m. on Oct. 7 in the area of Route 134 and Fairlawn, according to a news release from the Round Lake Park Police Department. He was initially arrested for not having a valid driver's license.

When authorities searched his car, they found 3.25 pounds of marijuana, which had a street value of $15,000. Avila-Zumadio was also in possession of $1,900 in cash and a forged Mexican passport. The discoveries lead police to also charge Zumadio with unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of cannabis and forgery, according to a news release.

It also lead authorities to conduct a search of Zumadio's townhouse in the 400 block of Meadow Green in Round Lake Beach as well as a self-storage facility in Round Lake Beach, according to authorities. During both of the searches, police located 600 pounds of marijuana, which had a street value of about $3 million; an AR-15 rifle that had advance sighting and a loaded 30-round magazine; three boxes of 20-count ammunition and $6,861 in cash.

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Police also took into custody Maria T. Villa-Mauleon, 30, of the 400 block of Meadow Green in Round Lake Beach. She has been charged with unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of cannabis, unlawful use of a weapon, no valid FOD card, unlawful possession of ammunition and child endangerment.

Jose and Maria appeared to be common associates of a drug distribution network tied to the Guadalajara Cartel, said Round Lake Park Police Department Chief George Filenko.

Villa-Mauleon is in custody at the Lake County Jail on a $1 million bond. Bond was set at $500,000 for Zumadio.