In a high profile drugs case with about $17 million at stake 35 people were indicted in Kansas Thursday. They were accused on 101 counts for supplying drugs like marijuana and cocaine to residents in Johnson and Douglas counties in Kansas.
University of Kansas 2010-2011 basketball team Jayhawks' members are said to have involved in the drug ring as one of the defendants, a 32-year-old Overland Park man named Samuel Villeareal III, has been accused of supplying marijuana to some of the university's basketball team members.
Two of the defendants Los Rovell Dahda, 30, and Chad Eugene Bauman, 33 who are from Lawrence have also been accused of making millions of money in the drug ring, according to a release for the U.S. Attorney's office.
During a hearing on detention of Villeareal last month, assistant U.S. attorney Terra Moorhead claimed that Villeareal supplied drugs to several players of the Jayhawks' team.
According to a report in The Star, Moorhead told the federal magistrate that Villeareal was supplying drugs to some of the university's basketball players and it came to light when his cell phone was seized from his home. Villeareal reportedly had conversed and sent text messages to those basketball players. He is also said to have met the players at the Sprint Center in Kansas City this basketball season.
KUSports.com quoted Terry as saying that "we know that he had probably not only a personal relationship with them but a professional relationship as well."
Besides Villereal, 24 other defendants were charged on only one count. They were accused of conspiracy to in possession and distribution of more than 5 kilograms drugs such as cocaine and 1,000 kilos of marijuana at that time.
Kansas state law prohibits possession of illicit drugs like marijuana and opiate. Those possessing these drugs can be charged and sentenced to jail.
Kansas University has a drug-testing policy to help students. The university has a policy which requires all fresher athletes to take a drug test while joining campus. It is also mandatory for teams that qualify for post-season. Besides, all student-athletes will be asked to take random drug tests during the course of the year.
The university has compiled a list of banned drugs including cocaine and marijuana. If tested positive significant sanctions could be placed against the offender. The university also offers assistance by educating the students about the illicit drugs and also helps the students to get the right treatment and rehabilitation.
