Local Residents Among 24 Indicted in Drug, Racketeering, Gambling Ring

Law enforcement officers seized more than $1.3 million in cash when they busted an international drug and sports gambling ring operating in Southeast Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

Sam V. Hunyh, 34, of Morton Grove was charged with "conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana," according to the Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Sanders' press release.

Cmdr. Mike Fujara of the  Morton Grove Police Department  confirmed with Patch on Thursday.

"Morton Grove officers and federal officials arrested [Hunyh] at 5:50 a.m. on May 24," he said.

Residents from Skokie and Niles were also involved.  

A Simple Tip

A simple tip sparked the yearlong investigation, United States Attorney James Santelle said at a press conference Thursday morning.

The investigation culminated May 24, in a massive operation spanning several states and involving more than 150 law enforcement officers from more than 14 agencies. They executed more than 18 search warrants and arrested 23 people. One person from Los Angeles is still at large.

In total, officials said, 35 people have been charged in connection with this investigation. The 23 people arrested May 24 face charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances, operating an illegal gambling business and interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise.

"Much More High-Tech"

This was a “much more high-tech” operation than what they’ve seen before, Santelle said, using phone calls and text messages to place and take bets on national and local sports teams. Santelle called the operation “fairly sophisticated.”

Couriers shuttled drugs from Seattle and British Columbia to the Midwest, he said, and the cash from gambling proceeds back the other way. He deferred to Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Sanders to give specifics about the gambling enterprise.

The details have not been included in any public documents at this point, but have been revealed to some extent in court, Santelle said. Individuals in the gambling enterprise were divided into cells, Sanders said.

People in Seattle texted odds out to other contacts, who would then forward them down the line. That process took about 10 minutes, he said. Within 30 minutes, Sanders said, calls would go back up the chain with bets coming in from gamblers.

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Morton Grove, Illinois, People from Morton Grove, Illinois, Marlee Matlin, Harvey Mandel, Demetria Kalodimos

People from Morton Grove, Illinois, Marlee Matlin, Harvey Mandel, Demetria Kalodimos

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Morton Grove, Illinois, 100 years, a tradition of service, 1895-1995 : centennial anniversay