Raid uncovers $65K, 625+ pounds of pot

WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) - Police found about 625 pounds of marijuana when they raided two Kent County residences this week. Three men were arrested and face federal charges.

Jesus Lamas, Elias Pantoja Jr., and Federico Zavala-Quezada are accused of conspiracy to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. They are being held in the Kent County jail.

Members of the Kalamazoo and Kent area narcotics enforcement teams and a Kent County deputy executed a search warrant at 1667 Whitewood Drive SW, in Wyoming, on Wednesday, according to court documents. Officials suspected the drug operation.

At the home in which Pantoja Jr. resides, police say they found about 300 pounds of marijuana. He told officers he was being paid by Zavala-Quezada and Lamas to bring the pot to Chicago. He estimates he's transported about 4,500 pounds of marijuana to Kent County, according to court documents.

The next search, in the residence where Zavala-Quezada lives, investigators discovered 325 pounds of pot, along with digital scales, a loaded rifle and pistol and a vacuum sealer. In one of the bedrooms at 753 Liberty St. SW, in Grand Rapids, officials uncovered $65,000 inside a child's toy box. Authorities say the bedroom was Zavala-Quezada's.

Lamas told police he collects money for the drugs and delivers it to Zavala-Quezada at the Liberty Street home.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story. Watch the video to hear from neighbors who witnessed the raid.