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An indictment unsealed today in Kansas City, Kan., alleges that 20 separate defendants took part in a drug trafficking organization in Kansas City, Kan.

Also, the alleged ring sold over $22 million in marijuana.

Among the 20 charged were Gladstone McDowell and MIchael Francois, both of Kansas City, Mo. They are considered the leaders of the crew. A separate count asks the court for a $22 million money judgement against the two drug leaders and the 18 other defendants.

“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,” said U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch. “The defendants are alleged to have made tens of millions of dollars by distributing tens of thousands of pounds of marijuana.”

The trafficking of marijuana by the 20 defendants resulted in over 2,000 pounds of marijuana being transported from Phoenix to portions of the Kansas City metro area, KCK included.

As recently as May of 2009, shipments from Mesa, Ariz., were tracked to KCK and Kansas City, Mo.

Other defendants charged in the indictment:

Tamary Brown, 28, Kansas City, Mo.

Marlon Forrester, 33, Kansas City, Mo.

Radell Bradford, 37, Kansas City, Mo.

Mechieen McDowell, 36, Kansas City, Mo.

Dwight Rhone, 38, who is in custody in Arizona.

Theodore McDowell, 29, who is in custody in Arizona.

Sheldon McIntosh, who is in custody in Arizona.

Samora McIntosh, 32, who is in custody in Arizona.

Ibrahima Kane, 39, who is in custody in Arizona.

Stephen Blackburn, 43, Antioch, Tenn.

Deidre Turner, 27, Kansas City, Mo.

Michael Williams, Paterson, N.J.

Michelle Midgyett, 42, Kansas City, Mo.,

Denaud Egana, 45, Austell, Ga.

Delroy Buckley, 45, Shawnee, Kan.

Rita Holmes-Buckley, 39, Shawnee, Kan.

Eulet King, 39, Phoenix, Ariz.

Keesha McDowell, 28, Kansas City, Mo.

Overall, the indictment had 10 counts.